Legislator
Legislator > Carmen Morales
State Assemblymember
Carmen Morales
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Assembly District 34
In Office - Started: 01/09/2024
contact info
Belleville Office
152 Franklin St.
Belleville, NJ 07109
Belleville, NJ 07109
Phone: 973-450-0484
General Capitol Building Address
P.O. Box 068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
Phone: 609-847-3905
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4476 | Permits awarding of contracts for certain preschool education services by resolution of board of education; extends maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. | This bill exempts certain contracts awarded for preschool education services from public advertising and bidding and permits the contracts to be awarded by a resolution of the board of education. The bill also extends the maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. Under current law, certain contracts under the Public School Contracts Law may be awarded by a resolution of the board of education without public advertising and bidding. The bill permits contracts for preschool education services provided by a licensed childcare provider or Head Start program and supported by preschool education aid to be awarded by a resolution of the board of education without public advertising and bidding. The Public School Contracts Law also limits awarded contracts to no more than 24 consecutive months unless otherwise authorized for a longer term. This bill permits contracts for preschool education services provided by a licensed childcare provider or Head Start program and supported by preschool education aid to be awarded for a period not to exceed three years. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3787 | Requires municipal tax collectors who obtain payments in lieu of taxes under "Long Term Tax Exemption Law" to transmit county portion directly to county. | Requires municipal tax collectors who obtain payments in lieu of taxes under "Long Term Tax Exemption Law" to transmit county portion directly to county. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4162 | Limits use or disclosure of certain education records. | This bill limits the disclosure of certain education records. Current law requires students, or the parent or guardians of students, as applicable, in the graduating classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 to complete certain financial aid paperwork unless a waiver is submitted. Under the bill, a waiver template or form developed by the Department of Education, a board of education, or a board of trustees of a charter school for use in collecting student financial aid information pursuant to the provisions of the bill is to require the student, parent or guardian, or school counselor, as applicable, to provide only the student's name, telephone number, email address, date, and signature of the individual submitting the waiver. Under the bill, school districts and charter schools are prohibited from using or disclosing the waiver submitted under P.L.2023, c.295, or any personal information contained within the waiver, without the informed consent of the student or the student's parent or guardian consistent with applicable federal and State-level protections of student educational records, including the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The bill stipulates it is not to be construed to prohibit, or in any way restrict, any action that is consistent with federal law. Under the bill, the Department of Education is to include language consistent with the prohibition on disclosure in any optional waiver template developed by the department for use by a school district or charter school in a prominent location on the waiver. The bill requires a school district or charter school that uses a waiver developed by the district or charter school to also include language consistent with the prohibition on disclosure in a prominent location on the waiver. Finally, the bill provides that nothing in the bill is to be construed to invalidate a waiver submitted prior to the bill's effective date and that a waiver submitted prior to the bill's effective date is subject to the provisions of the bill concerning the prohibition on disclosure. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3961 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees. | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4331 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Passed |
| 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. | 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. | Crossed Over |
| A5780 | Permits awarding of contracts for certain preschool education services by resolution of board of education; extends maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. | This bill exempts certain contracts awarded for preschool education services from public advertising and bidding and permits the contracts to be awarded by a resolution of the board of education. The bill also extends the maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. Under current law, certain contracts under the Public School Contracts Law may be awarded by a resolution of the board of education without public advertising and bidding. The bill permits contracts for preschool education services provided by a licensed childcare provider or Head Start program and supported by preschool education aid to be awarded by a resolution of the board of education without public advertising and bidding. The Public School Contracts Law also limits awarded contracts to no more than 24 consecutive months unless otherwise authorized for a longer term. This bill permits contracts for preschool education services provided by a licensed childcare provider or Head Start program and supported by preschool education aid to be awarded for a period not to exceed three years. | In Committee |
| A5779 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| A5860 | Appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition, park development, and planning projects, and for certain administrative expenses. | Appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition, park development, and planning projects, and for certain administrative expenses. | In Committee |
| A3323 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | This bill amends the definition of compensation for purposes of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to include additional pay for performing extracurricular duties beyond the regular school day or the regular school year. This additional pay is currently not included in the definition of compensation for pension purposes. Extracurricular duties include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities. | Passed |
| A3424 | Establishes certain program requirements for school counselor certification; outlines role and duties of school counselor; requires professional development for school counselors; establishes position of School Counselor Liaison in DOE. | Establishes certain program requirements for school counselor certification; outlines role and duties of school counselor; requires professional development for school counselors; establishes position of School Counselor Liaison in DOE. | Passed |
| A1406 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | An Act establishing the School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| A4124 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| A5077 | Extends statutory pause on collection of student growth objective data. | An Act concerning educator evaluations and amending P.L.2024, c.14. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5075 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | In Committee |
| 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. | 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. | Crossed Over |
| A5492 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Passed |
| A5687 | Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation. | Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation. | Passed |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| AR194 | Designates June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in New Jersey. | This Assembly resolution designates June 2025 as LGBTQ+ 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 (LGBTQ+) individuals. Public officials and citizens of New Jersey are respectfully urged to commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2025 with appropriate activities. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Passed |
| A1446 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Passed |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Passed |
| 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 |
| S4567 | Appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition, park development, and planning projects, and for certain administrative expenses. | This bill appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues and various Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Of the total amount appropriated by the bill, $102,679,000 would be used by the DEP to provide grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units in the State to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, $3,000,000 would be used for a new planning grant program, and $2,320,000 would be used for the DEP's associated administrative costs. The total amount of funding allocated for local government projects listed in this bill is $102,679,000. Of this amount, $22,427,000 is for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes identified in section 4 of the bill, and $80,252,000 is for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes identified in section 5 of the bill. Of the sum for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $19,959,000 is allocated for planning incentive open space acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities and counties that have an open space tax and an approved open space plan); $2,086,000 is allocated for open space acquisition projects in urban aid municipalities or sponsored by densely populated counties; and $382,000 is allocated for site-specific incentive acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that have an open space tax, but do not have an open space plan). Of the sum for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $29,145,000 is allocated for local park development projects in urban aid municipalities or sponsored by densely populated counties; $11,951,000 is allocated for local park development projects in densely or highly populated municipalities or sponsored by highly populated counties; $6,638,000 is allocated for standard local park development projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that do not meet the criteria of the prior two categories); $4,247,000 is allocated for stewardship activity projects; and $28,271,000 is allocated for completely inclusive playground projects, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2018, c.104 (C.13:8C-27.1), otherwise known as "Jake's Law." The projects approved by the bill include projects in "urban aid" and densely or highly populated municipalities and counties. The bill defines a "densely or highly populated municipality" as a municipality with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile or a population of at least 35,000 persons; a "densely populated county" as a county with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile; and a "highly populated county" as a county with a population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile. In addition, the bill would appropriate $3 million to the DEP in order to establish a new a Planning Grant program, the purpose of which would be to provide matching grants to local governments to fund the preparation of plans and other activities necessary to identify needs and opportunities for additional recreation and conservation initiatives in the State. To the extent that there are funds remaining after the local government unit projects listed in this bill are offered funding, the bill also authorizes the DEP, with the approval of the JBOC, to use those funds to provide additional funding for local government unit projects listed in this bill as well as for local government unit projects previously approved for funding pursuant to various other laws. The projects listed in the bill have been approved by the DEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT). | Passed |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Passed |
| A5125 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | In Committee |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Passed |
| 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. | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Passed |
| 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 |
| A5194 | Establishes pilot program to provide public schools with tourniquets and training in bleeding control techniques. | This bill establishes a one-year pilot program to provide public schools in the State with tourniquets and training in bleeding control techniques. The governing body of a public school that is interested in participating in the pilot program is to submit an application to the commissioner in a form and manner determined by the commissioner and that includes certain information enumerated in the bill. Under the bill, each governing body that submits a complete application to the commissioner is to be approved for participation in the pilot program. The bill requires participating governing bodies to ensure that each public school within the governing body's jurisdiction receives at least one tourniquet, which is to be located in an unlocked location on school property with an appropriate identifying sign. The tourniquet is to be accessible during the school day and any other time that a school-sponsored function is taking place. The bill requires the Department of Education to provide training on the use of tourniquets and bleeding control techniques to school employees of governing bodies selected for participation in the pilot program. The bill permits the department to contract with a third party organization that is nationally recognized as having the expertise to meet the training requirements of this section. Under the bill, the governing body of a public school is to ensure that school employees participate in the training provided pursuant to the bill. The bill permits the governing body of a public school to identify other employees of the public schools who may participate in the training course offered under the bill. Finally, the bill requires the commissioner, at the conclusion of the pilot program, to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature on the implementation of the program. The report is to include the commissioner's recommendation on implementing the program on a Statewide or permanent basis. | Dead |
| A5465 | Requires electric public utilities to apply to BPU for certificate of public convenience and necessity prior to undertaking transmission project. | This bill requires an electric public utility (utility) to submit an application to the Board of Public Utilities (board) for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (certificate) prior to undertaking a transmission project (project) in New Jersey, which application is required to include any information deemed necessary by the board and an application fee in an amount determined by the board. After receiving a completed application, the bill requires the board to issue a board order with its decision regarding the application, its authorization for the utility to construct the project, and a manner and timeframe in which the utility is to complete the project. The board is to act on an application within 150 days and, in certain circumstances, permits the board to extend this 150-day deadline by an additional period not to exceed 75 days. To make its determination, the board is required to consider whether: (1) the project is necessary to provide adequate, reliable, and efficient service to the utility's customers and is the least-cost means of satisfying the service needs of the utility's customers or that the project will promote the development of an effectively competitive electricity market that operates efficiently, is equitable to all customers, and is the least-cost means of satisfying those objectives; (2) the utility is capable of efficiently managing and supervising the construction process and has taken sufficient action to ensure adequate and efficient construction and supervision of the construction; and (3) the utility is capable of financing the proposed construction without significant adverse financial consequences for the utility or its customers. Under the bill, "transmission project" means a project undertaken by an electric public utility to construct a new transmission line or modify an existing transmission line. This term does not include projects that have already been deemed necessary and approved by PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. through a needs assessment. | 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 |
| A5824 | Limits certain requirements for certification of career and technical education teachers. | This bill limits certain requirements for certification of career and technical education teachers. The bill prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring a candidate for a certificate of eligibility in a career and technical education endorsement to complete an educator preparation program which exceeds 200-hours of instruction or one academic year. Currently, an individual may become certified with a career and technical education endorsement by going through the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Alternate Route program. The program is designed for those who have not completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited institution of higher education, but wish to become a State certified teacher. Alternate route teachers earn a Certificate of Eligibility (CE). The individual is required to first complete a minimum of 50 hours of pre-professional experience in an approved educator preparation program. After completing the 50 hours of formal instruction, the individual is to enroll in a two-year, 350-hour CTE Certificate of Eligibility educator preparation program at Brookdale Community College or William Paterson University. There is currently a shortage of qualified CTE educators. The two-year, 350-hour program has been criticized as having a detrimental effect on the recruitment of CTE teachers as it is viewed as expensive, time-consuming, and lacking in the practical experience currently offered by county vocational-technical school districts. It is the sponsor's intent to address the shortage of CTE teachers by requiring the educator preparation programs to limit the approved CTE alternate route programs to 200-hours of instruction or one academic year. | In Committee |
| A5798 | Requires automatic enrollment into energy assistance programs for certain individuals and households. | This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and any other State agency that administers a utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency program to provide information concerning recipients of needs-based public assistance, including, but not limited to, the following programs: 1) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; 2) Work First New Jersey; 3) the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and 4) the supplemental security income program. The information provided by DHS would be required to include information necessary to enroll those recipients of needs-based public assistance into utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency programs administered by DCA, BPU, and any other State agency that administers a utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency program. Based on the information received from DHS pursuant to the memorandums of understanding, DCA, BPU, and any other State agency that administers a utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency program would be required to automatically enroll recipients of certain State and federal needs-based public assistance into utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency programs for which the individual or household qualifies, to the extent permitted by federal law. This bill would take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment, except that DHS, DCA, BPU, and any other State agency that administers a utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency program may, as necessary, take action to enter into a memorandum of understanding as required by the bill, and establish rules and regulations in advance of the effective date. | In Committee |
| A3882 | Requires training of cosmetologists-hairstylists, beauticians, barbers, and hair braiders to include working on textured hair. | This bill requires the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to establish requirements, as part of the curriculum provided by schools licensed in the State to teach and train students in cosmetology-hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering, and hair braiding, on working with textured hair. This includes training on working with hair with various coil, curl, and wave patterns; hair strand thickness; and volumes of hair. The training on textured hair is not intended to expand the number of hours for the training in each type of profession but instead, be included as part of the current curriculum. Additionally, the examination required of an applicant for licensure in cosmetology-hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering, or hair braiding is to include textured hair as part of the subject matter within which the applicant is tested. The testing is to be part of the written and practical portions of the examination. Under the bill, "textured hair" is defined as hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy. | In Committee |
| A5757 | Prohibits residential landlord from imposing certain surcharges for rent payments. | This bill prohibits a landlord from imposing certain surcharges on a tenant for an online rent payment method. While section 2 of P.L.2019, c.300 (C.46:8-49.1) currently prohibits a landlord from requiring a tenant or prospective tenant to remit rent due by means of electronic funds transfer, a landlord has discretion to impose certain surcharges on payment by means of electronic funds transfer for an online payment method. Specifically, this bill prohibits a landlord from imposing, passing through, or accepting, whether directly, indirectly, or implicitly through a third-party online rent payment method, a surcharge or other similar cost that exceeds five dollars per monthly rental payment for an online rent payment method (prohibited surcharge). The bill requires that if a third-party online rent payment method utilized by the landlord requires a prohibited surcharge, the landlord is to assume and be responsible for the full cost of the prohibited surcharge or reimburse the tenant. Further, the bill requires that if the landlord uses a third-party online rent payment method that requires a prohibited surcharge, the landlord is to provide to the tenant a document that itemizes all related charges and demonstrates that the landlord assumed the costs of all online rent payment surcharges, as defined in the bill, exceeding five dollars, or that the landlord reimbursed the tenant for the costs of all online rent payment surcharges exceeding five dollars within 10 days of the date of payment by the tenant. The bill requires that the landlord provide an attestation with a receipt, required following all rent payments provided by a tenant, as described in the bill, in which the landlord affirms, under the penalty of perjury, the veracity of the receipt and compliance with certain provisions of the bill. A violation of the bill constitutes an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), and subjects a landlord to the to the penalty provisions of section 5 of P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-47), which the bill increases to $1,000 from $100 to reflect the increase in the average price of rent for residential rental units in New Jersey since the penalty provisions' enactment in 1975. The bill also provides a private cause of action for a tenant whose landlord has violated the requirements of the bill, and specifies that a tenant is to recover the $1,000, in addition to reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, expenses for expert witnesses, and other related fees and expenses incurred in proving a violation of P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-43 et seq.). The bill also authorizes the tenant to recover an amount equal to the surcharge or other similar cost that exceeds five dollars per monthly rental payment, wrongfully charged to a tenant. The bill would take effect on the first day of the third month next following enactment and apply to any surcharge or other similar cost for an online rent payment method that is charged to a tenant on or after the effective date. | In Committee |
| A5756 | Authorizes creation of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. license plates. | This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue special Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. (Lambda Theta Phi) license plates. The bill provides that the design of the Lambda Theta Phi license plate is to display appropriate words or a slogan and an emblem honoring Lambda Theta Phi. The chief administrator, in consultation with the North Atlantic Regional Vice President of Lambda Theta Phi, is to select the design and color scheme of the Lambda Theta Phi license plates. In addition to all fees otherwise required by law for the registration of a motor vehicle, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the Lambda Theta Phi license plates. After deducting the costs to implement the plates, the additional fees are to be deposited into a special non-lapsing fund known as the "Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be annually appropriated to Lambda Theta Phi to be used to support the organization's mission and programs. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost of producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of the specialty license plates. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 in two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue the Lambda Theta Phi license plate program. The bill also requires the North Atlantic Regional Vice President of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. to appoint a liaison to represent the North Atlantic Region of Lambda Theta Phi in all communications with the commission regarding the Lambda Theta Phi license plates. The bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used by the commission for the initial cost to implement the Lambda Theta Phi license plate program. The bill requires the North Atlantic Regional Vice President of Lambda Theta Phi, or an individual or entity designated by the North Atlantic Regional Vice President of Lambda Theta Phi, to contribute non-public monies, not to exceed $25,000, to offset the initial costs to design, produce, issue, and publicize the license plates and for computer programming changes that may be necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes the North Atlantic Region of Lambda Theta Phi to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The commission is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of the Lambda Theta Phi license plates until: 1) the North Atlantic Regional Vice President of Lambda Theta Phi, or the individual or entity designated by the North Atlantic Regional Vice President of Lambda Theta Phi, has provided the commission with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission in establishing the Lambda Theta Phi license plate program; and 2) the North Atlantic Region of Lambda Theta Phi liaison has provided the commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the Lambda Theta Phi license plates. The provisions of the bill will remain inoperative until the first day of the seventh month after the appropriate applications and fees required to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission are provided to the commission. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received by that date. | In Committee |
| A5758 | Authorizes creation of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. license plates. | This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue special Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (Lambda Theta Alpha) license plates. The bill provides that the design of the Lambda Theta Alpha license plate is to display appropriate words or a slogan and an emblem honoring Lambda Theta Alpha. The chief administrator, in consultation with the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha, is to select the design and color scheme of the Lambda Theta Alpha license plates. In addition to all fees otherwise required by law for the registration of a motor vehicle, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the Lambda Theta Alpha license plates. After deducting the costs to implement the plates, the additional fees are to be deposited into a special non-lapsing fund known as the "Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be annually appropriated to Lambda Theta Alpha to be used to support the organization's mission and programs. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost of producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of the specialty license plates. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 in two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue the Lambda Theta Alpha license plate program. The bill also requires the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha to appoint a liaison to represent the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha in all communications with the commission regarding the Lambda Theta Alpha license plates. The bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used by the commission for the initial cost to implement the Lambda Theta Alpha license plate program. The bill requires the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha, or an individual or entity designated by the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha, to contribute non-public monies, not to exceed $25,000, to offset the initial costs to design, produce, issue, and publicize the license plates and for computer programming changes that may be necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha to receive funds from private sources to offset the initial costs. The commission is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of the Lambda Theta Alpha license plates until: (1) the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha, or the individual or entity designated by the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha, has provided the commission with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission in establishing the Lambda Theta Alpha license plate program; and (2) the Northeast Regional Board of Lambda Theta Alpha liaison has provided the commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the Lambda Theta Alpha license plates. The provisions of the bill will remain inoperative until the first day of the seventh month after the appropriate applications and fees required to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission are provided to the commission. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received by that date. | In Committee |
| A5759 | Requires disclosure of portion of retail price attributable to tariffs. | The bill requires retail establishments to disclose the portion of a product's retail price attributable to tariffs and trade-related import taxes. The bill requires retail establishments to disclose the percentage or dollar amount of the final price attributable to tariffs on either the price tag, online product pages, or sales receipt. Retail establishments with revenues below $500,000 in annual sales and products whose tariff-related pricing impact is negligible are exempt from the bill. Retail establishments subject to the bill are subject to periodic compliance audits and fines for noncompliance. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety is required to develop regulations to effectuate the implementation of this bill. | In Committee |
| AR192 | Urges Department of Agriculture to promote production of grapes and use of locally produced fruits for use in wines made in New Jersey. | This resolution urges the Department of Agriculture to assist the New Jersey wine and grape industry in increasing the production and use of local grapes and fruits in the vinification of State wines. For over 150 years, the New Jersey wine industry has generated high-quality wines, which have gained national and international acclaim. Currently, there are over 60 wineries in the State in the four designated American Viticultural Areas: Cape May Peninsula, Warren Hills AVA, Central Delaware Valley AVA, and the Outer Coastal Plain AVA. Annually, the wine and grape industry in New Jersey generate over $30 million in revenue. Wineries in the State contribute to the diversification of New Jersey's agricultural sector, offering agro-tourism opportunities while providing a value-added product. The Department of Agriculture already administers a promotion and research fund for the wine and grape industry, which is supported by per gallon assessments collected by the New Jersey Wine Industry Advisory Council. This council prints educational materials, conducts publicity programs, funds promotional festivals and conducts varietal and production-oriented research with these funds. The department has also initiated a "Secretary Select" effort, to celebrate wines produced in the State. Thanks to these efforts to promote the New Jersey wine and grape industry, the State's wine industry ranks in the Top 10 in the nation in production. Despite the expansion of grape generation in New Jersey, grape production is not keeping pace with increased demand for wine. Wineries often face significant challenges due to pests, disease, weather or other issues. With flexibility in the amounts and types of crops grown on the farms that are used in their wines, wineries could continue to generate the quality, locally-sourced wine products demanded by the State market. Therefore, it is imperative that New Jersey wineries and grape producers receive continued and reinforced support from the Department of Agriculture in order to meet consumer demands and maintain the vitality of the State viticultural sector. | 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 |
| A4899 | Limits amount of residential rental property application fee; establishes penalty. | Limits amount of residential rental property application fee; establishes penalty. | Crossed Over |
| A5263 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees. | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees. | In Committee |
| A5469 | Limits use or disclosure of certain education records. | This bill limits the disclosure of certain education records. Current law requires students, or the parent or guardians of students, as applicable, in the graduating classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 to complete certain financial aid paperwork unless a waiver is submitted. Under the bill, a waiver template or form developed by the Department of Education, a board of education, or a board of trustees of a charter school for use in collecting student financial aid information pursuant to the provisions of the bill is to require the student, parent or guardian, or school counselor, as applicable, to provide only the student's name, telephone number, email address, date, and signature of the individual submitting the waiver. Under the bill, school districts and charter schools are prohibited from using or disclosing the waiver submitted under P.L.2023, c.295, or any personal information contained within the waiver, without the informed consent of the student or the student's parent or guardian consistent with applicable federal and State-level protections of student educational records, including the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The bill stipulates it is not to be construed to prohibit, or in any way restrict, any action that is consistent with federal law. Under the bill, the Department of Education is to include language consistent with the prohibition on disclosure in any optional waiver template developed by the department for use by a school district or charter school in a prominent location on the waiver. The bill requires a school district or charter school that uses a waiver developed by the district or charter school to also include language consistent with the prohibition on disclosure in a prominent location on the waiver. Finally, the bill provides that nothing in the bill is to be construed to invalidate a waiver submitted prior to the bill's effective date and that a waiver submitted prior to the bill's effective date is subject to the provisions of the bill concerning the prohibition on disclosure. | In Committee |
| AJR226 | Designates April 11 of each year as "Black Doula Day." | This joint resolution designates April 11 of each year as "Black Doula Day" in New Jersey to coincide with Global Black Doula Day. Doulas are professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during, and after childbirth. Doula care is expanding field found across all 50 states and 50 countries globally. Doula care can improve birth-related outcomes including lowering the rate of cesarean sections, low birth weights and premature labor, and decrease epidural use. New Jersey was the 3rd state to cover doula care under Medicaid, however ranks 25th in maternal mortality with Black mothers being more than seven times more likely to die from maternity-related complications than white mothers. | In Committee |
| AJR224 | Permanently designates November 8 of each year as "First-Generation College Student Day" in NJ. | This resolution permanently designates November 8 as "First-Generation College Student Day" in New Jersey to recognize the perseverance, resilience, and accomplishments of first-generation students and to encourage initiatives to promote the success of those students. First-generation college students are the first in their family to attend and graduate from an institution of higher education and may face substantial barriers and unique challenges when navigating the academic, financial, and social aspects of college. November 8th is nationally recognized as "First-Generation College Student Day" to honor first-generation college students who are paving the way for future generations in their family. November 8th honors the anniversary of the signing of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965. This act focused on increasing postsecondary education access and success for students, particularly low-income and first-generation college students. "First-Generation College Student Day" is celebrated nationally by institutions of higher education and organizations across the country who recognize and support first-generation students through various events and initiatives. Due to the contributions of first-generation students to the workforce, innovation, and economic and social advancement of the State, it is fitting to permanently designate November 8th as "First-Generation College Student Day" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| AJR223 | Designates September 20 of each year as "Puerto Rican Day of Remembrance." | This joint resolution designates September 20 of each year as "Puerto Rican Day of Remembrance" in New Jersey. Puerto Ricans have been integral to New Jersey's cultural, economic, and social fabric, and have positively contributed to the State's manufacturing economy. On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, causing catastrophic damage, including the destruction of the power grid and widespread flooding, leading to a humanitarian crisis. The storm resulted in significant loss of life, with estimates suggesting nearly 5,000 fatalities, and caused extensive displacement of residents. Designating September 20 of each year as "Puerto Rican Day of Remembrance," will honor the contributions of Puerto Ricans to the State and commemorate those who lost their lives during Hurricane Maria. | In Committee |
| A5698 | Requires employers other than State who participate in SHBP and employers who participate in SEHBP to remain enrolled in program for minimum of five years. | This bill provides that any employer other than the State that elects to participate in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) or any employer that elects to participate in the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) on or after October 1, 2026 will be required to remain enrolled in the program for a minimum period of five consecutive plan years following the effective date of its initial enrollment. The bill requires any employer other than the State that voluntarily terminates its participation in the SHBP, or any employer that voluntarily terminates its participation in the SEHBP, on or after October 31, 2027 and subsequently re-enters the program to remain enrolled for an additional minimum period of five consecutive plan years following the date of re-enrollment, which will be in addition to the initial five-year enrollment period. For each subsequent voluntary termination and re-entry into the SHBP or the SEHBP by the same employer, the mandatory participation period will be extended by an additional five consecutive plan years. This extension will apply cumulatively, meaning the employer will be required to remain enrolled for 10 years after its first re-entry, 15 years after its second re-entry, 20 years after its third re-entry, and so on for each successive re-entry. The bill requires the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (NJDPB), in consultation with the State Health Benefits Commission and the School Employees' Health Benefits Commission, to develop and implement a participant balancing mechanism to mitigate the adverse impact of voluntary terminations by employers on overall program costs. This mechanism will include, but not be limited to, efforts to identify and enroll other eligible employers into the program as a means to maintain risk pool stability. To promote transparency and fiscal accountability, the bill requires the NJDPB to provide timely notice to all participating employers of any changes in premium rates, cost allocations, or benefit adjustments that affect the employer's plan contributions. This notification must be in writing and delivered prior to the start of the plan year. The NJDPB must also maintain and publish, on a publicly accessible website, a list of all employers that have voluntarily terminated participation in the SHBP or the SEHBP, including the name of the employer, the date of the voluntary termination, and the number of employees or retirees covered under that employer at the time of voluntary termination. The list is required to be updated on an annual basis at the beginning of each plan year. Under the bill, the NJDPB must publish an annual report, made available to the public and submitted to the Governor and the Legislature. The report will include the number and identity of employers entering and exiting the SHBP and the SEHBP; the number of employers subject to the minimum participation or re-enrollment restriction requirements established under the bill; the performance and effectiveness of the participant balancing mechanism described in this bill; and any material trends in participation or cost-sharing that could impact the fiscal sustainability of the program. The bill requires the State Treasurer to adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of the bill, including, but not limited to, procedures for enforcement, penalties for early voluntary termination by an employer, and criteria for program re-entry. | In Committee |
| A5696 | Requires executive county superintendent to distribute funds to each public school located in county for purchase of tourniquets and requires training on tourniquet use; appropriates up to $500,000. | This bill requires each executive county superintendent to distribute funds to the governing bodies of public schools for the purchase of tourniquets and requires certain school employees receive training on tourniquet use. The bill appropriates a sum not to exceed $500,000 from the State General Fund for this purpose and specifies that additional federal funds may be distributed by the Department of Education, to the extent permitted by federal law. The bill requires a tourniquet purchased by a public school with funds distributed by the executive county superintendent to be located in an unlocked location on school property with an appropriate identifying sign. The tourniquet is to be accessible during the school day and any other time that a school sponsored function is taking place in which students of the school are present. The bill directs the governing body of a public school to develop and annually administer staff training on the use of tourniquets and bleeding control techniques. The bill permits a governing body to collaborate or contract with local law enforcement, emergency medical services, or a third party organization that is nationally recognized as having the expertise in bleeding control techniques to meet this training requirement. Under the bill, the governing body of a public school is to annually ensure that school employees, as defined in the bill, participate in the training. Finally, the bill requires a governing body to include information concerning its compliance with the requirements of the bill in a statement of assurance that is to be submitted to the executive county superintendent. | In Committee |
| A5613 | Requires municipal tax collectors who obtain payments in lieu of taxes under "Long Term Tax Exemption Law" to transmit county portion directly to county. | Requires municipal tax collectors who obtain payments in lieu of taxes under "Long Term Tax Exemption Law" to transmit county portion directly to county. | In Committee |
| A5697 | "New Jersey Healthy SNAP Act"; requires DHS to submit waiver to federal government to prohibit purchase of soft drinks with SNAP benefits. | This bill directs the Department of Human Services (department) to submit to the federal Department of Agriculture a waiver to allow the State to prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollees from purchasing soft drinks with SNAP benefits. As defined in this bill, a "soft drink" means any non-alcoholic beverage that contains added caloric sweeteners or artificial sweeteners, but does not include: (1) any beverage that contains milk or a milk alternative, including, but not limited to soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, or other similar products; or (2) any beverage that contains more than 50 percent vegetable or fruit juice. The waiver request would include: (1) a justification citing public health concerns, SNAP's statutory intent, and potential cost savings to taxpayers; (2) an implementation plan to ensure that existing point-of-sale systems used by State retailers that participate in SNAP can properly enforce the proposed restriction; (3) a strategy for education and outreach to inform the SNAP recipients of alternative healthy beverage options; and (4) a reporting mechanism to track the impact of the waiver, including spending patterns and health outcomes. If the waiver submitted under the bill is approved, the department is to implement the restriction within six months of receiving federal approval. If the waiver is denied, the department is to resubmit the request annually until the approval is granted. The Commissioner of Human Services would be required to submit a report to the Governor and to the Legislature within 30 days of receiving a determination on a waiver request submitted pursuant to this bill. The report would include the determination made by the federal government, any reasons for a denial, if a denial was received, and any recommendations from the commissioner for further action to implement the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| A5682 | Expands responsibilities of Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board and establishes "Problematic Sexual Behavior Program"; appropriates $8.5 million. | This bill expands the responsibilities of the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board (the board) established in P.L.2017, c.90 (C.9:6-8.107 et seq.) and establishes the Problematic Sexual Behavior Program (the program). Specifically, the bill amends various sections of P.L.2017, c.90 (C.9:6-8.108 et seq.) to: (1) include definitions relating to the establishment of the program; (2) stipulate that the board is to establish an annual progress review, instead of a certification process, as originally required by law, for the State's child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; (3) establish a Problematic Sexual Behavior Subcommittee; and (4) administer, in coordination with the DCF, the "Child Treatment Assistance Fund" established in the bill. The bill also amends P.L.2017, c.90 to increase the number of members of the board from 10, as originally provide by the law, to 13, update the guidelines of practice for child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams must adopt to receive satisfactory annual progress reviews, and clarify how the grants distributed by the DCF to centers and teams, through the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Fund, are to be spent. The bill establishes the Problematic Sexual Behavior Program administered by the New Jersey Children's Alliance and funded by the DCF. The purpose of the program is to institute a Statewide, coordinated response to, and address the medical and mental health care services needs of those impacted by, problematic sexual behavior. The bill also establishes the "Child Treatment Assistance Fund" in the DCF. The fund is to be the repository of monies appropriated to cover the cost of the medical and mental health care services provided through the program. As defined in the bill, "problematic sexual behavior" means behavior, initiated by youth under the age of 18, involving the use sexual body parts in a manner that is developmentally inappropriate or potentially harmful to the person or persons impacted by the behavior, and also includes technology facilitated adverse sexualized behaviors that can be considered problematic and harmful. The bill appropriates $8,500,000 from the General Fund to the DCF to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| A5685 | Directs Department of Agriculture to designate Jersey Fresh funding for New Jersey liquors, beers, and wines; appropriates $100,000. | This bill would direct the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (department) to designate Jersey Fresh funding for New Jersey liquors, beers, and wines. Jersey Fresh currently features several New-Jersey-crafted alcoholic products on their website, such as wine, beer, cider, and liquor. In the interest of the promotion of various State alcoholic products, this bill would provide for an established and designated funding source for alcohols produced in the State that are made from agricultural commodities cultivated in the State. The Jersey Fresh Program is a marketing and quality grading program used by the department to advertise and promote the availability of fruit and vegetable commodities produced in the State. This bill would expand the Jersey Fresh Program to officially include marketing for liquor, beer, and wine products generated in the State, from products cultivated in the State. The bill would require the department to implement a quality grading and rating system which are consistent with the quality grading system used by the department to measure the quality of other agricultural commodities for the Jersey Fresh Program. This bill would provide for an annual appropriation of $100,000 in each fiscal year following enactment of the bill, to facilitate the marketing and promotion of liquor, beer, and wine products under the "Jersey Fresh" program. | In Committee |
| A5620 | Prohibits increase of staple food prices more than once per day. | This bill prohibits a retail food store from increasing the retail price of a staple food good more than once per day. Under the bill, "staple food good" means a food item intended for home preparation and consumption and shall include cereals, bakery products, meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. A retail food store that violates the provisions of this bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for a first offense, $2,500 for a second offense, and $5,000 for a third and subsequent offense. Violations of this bill shall be investigated and enforced by the Office of Weights and Measures in consultation with the Office of Consumer Protection. | In Committee |
| A375 | Establishes three-year pilot program in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union counties for electronic monitoring of certain offenders; appropriates $15 million. | Establishes three-year pilot program in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union counties for electronic monitoring of certain offenders; appropriates $15 million. | In Committee |
| A5624 | Requires Division of Consumer Affairs to create open data portal and provide certain datasets online. | This bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to create, maintain, and annually update an open data portal on the division's Internet website that provides public access to certain datasets collected by the division, including information on professional and occupational licensing, registration, and certification information and consumer complaints. Datasets made available by the division on the open data portal shall comply with the provisions of the open public records act, and all applicable State and federal privacy laws. | In Committee |
| A2993 | Authorizes local governments to provide voluntary contributions to certain nonprofit veterans' organizations. | Authorizes local governments to provide voluntary contributions to certain nonprofit veterans' organizations. | Crossed Over |
| S3199 | Establishes New Jersey-Haiti Commission. | An Act establishing the New Jersey-Haiti Commission and supplementing chapter 18A of Title 52. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3525 | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | An Act concerning financial institutions servicing mortgages and supplementing P.L.2009, c.53 (C.17:11C-51 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2813 | Enters NJ in Social Work Licensure Compact. | An Act concerning the Social Work Licensure Compact and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR211 | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| A5632 | Requires MVC to establish and administer online application for REAL ID identification cards and REAL ID licenses. | This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to establish and administer an online application for REAL ID identification cards and REAL ID licenses. Specifically, under the bill, the MVC is required to establish an online application for New Jersey residents to obtain a REAL ID license or a REAL ID identification card through the commission's Internet website. As part of the application process, the MVC is required to accept and process electronically submitted copies of identity and lawful status source documents required under the federal "REAL ID Act of 2005," as authorized by the federal "REAL ID Modernization Act." If the MVC determines that an applicant has satisfied all of the requirements established by the federal "REAL ID Act of 2005," the MVC is required to approve and process the applicant's online application to obtain a REAL ID license or REAL ID identification card. If the applicant has failed to satisfy any requirement established by the federal "REAL ID Act of 2005," the MVC is required to deny the applicant's online application to obtain a REAL ID license or REAL ID identification card. The Chief Administrator of the MVC (chief administrator) is required to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this bill, including, but not limited to, establishing: (1) procedures as to how signature, verification, certification, witnessing, or other formal requirements are to be met with respect to documents or information permitted to be submitted in electronic or digital form pursuant to the bill; and (2) safeguards necessary to protect the privacy of, and prevent improper access to or disclosure of, any personal information that may be transmitted in an electronic or digital form. The procedures and safeguards established by the chief administrator pursuant to the bill are to comply with the requirements set forth under the federal "REAL ID Modernization Act," and the federal rules and regulations adopted to implement the act. | In Committee |
| A5627 | Changes certain allocations and amounts of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for Fiscal Year 2026 and thereafter; authorizes Garden State Preservation Trust and local governments to acquire lands in urban areas for agricultural or horticultural purposes. | This bill would authorize the Garden State Preservation Trust (trust) to develop a program to acquire land for agricultural or horticultural purposes in urban areas of the State through the purchase of fee simple titles or lesser interests in land, including, but not limited to, a development easement, a conservation restriction or easement, or any other restriction or easement permanently restricting development, by purchase or installment purchase agreement using constitutionally dedicated moneys. The bill would require the trust to develop eligibility criteria for the acquisition of land in urban areas of the State for agricultural or horticultural purposes and an application process for landowners to apply to the trust to sell a fee simple title or a lesser interest in land. The trust would be required to prioritize the purchase of small parcels of land in urban areas of the State that are suitable for agricultural or horticultural purposes. Under the bill, any land acquired in fee simple by the trust would be required to be held of record in the name of the State and may be offered for lease by the State using a competitive bidding process to interested parties, provided that the land is to be utilized for agricultural or horticultural purposes. The trust would be required to establish an application process for the lease of land acquired by the trust, which would require applicants to provide information concerning the intended use of the land for agricultural or horticultural purposes. The terms of the lease are to be established by the trust. The bill would require the trust to designate areas of the State as urban areas based on population density, residential and commercial development, and non-residential land uses, among other factors, in a specific region, and to adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement the bill's provisions. In addition, the bill would establish funding allocations for the constitutional dedication of Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenues for fiscal year 2026 and thereafter. Under the bill, on July 1 next following the bill's effective date, $25 million of the amount credited to the Preserve New Jersey Fund Account pursuant to the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.) would be required to be deposited into the Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund, established pursuant to the bill. In addition, in each State fiscal year commencing in State fiscal year 2026 and annually thereafter, of the amount credited by the State Treasurer to the Preserve New Jersey Fund Account pursuant to the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.): (1) 62 percent would be required to be deposited into the Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund; (2) 26 percent would be required to be deposited into the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund; (3) seven percent would be required to be deposited into the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund; and (4) five percent would be required to be deposited into the Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund. The bill would also require the trust to establish and administer the Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Stewardship Grant Program (grant program) for the purpose of providing grants to qualified applicants for stewardship activity projects, including, but not limited to, projects that improve soil health, climate resiliency, and erosion and sediment control, on land that has been acquired by the trust and preserved for agricultural and horticultural purposes pursuant to the bill. Section 6 of the bill establishes certain eligibility criteria and application requirements for qualified applicants applying for a grant under the grant program. The trust would be required to approve applications for the grant program on a rolling basis subject to the availability of funds in the Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund. Upon the approval of an application, the trust would be required to provide a grant, in an amount not to exceed ninety percent of the total estimated costs of the stewardship activity project, to the qualified applicant. The bill would authorize the trust to utilize moneys in the Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund for: (1) the fee simple acquisition or lesser interests in land, including, but not limited to, a development easement, a conservation restriction or easement, or any other restriction or easement permanently restricting development, by purchase or installment purchase agreement of land in urban areas of the State for agricultural or horticultural purposes; (2) providing grants under the grant program; and (3) paying certain administrative costs. Of the monies deposited into the Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund, not more than fifteen percent can be utilized by the trust for organizational, administrative and other work and services, including salaries, equipment, and materials necessary to administer the bill's provisions. Finally, the bill would allow counties and municipalities to utilize open space trust funds for the additional purpose of acquiring lands in urban areas of the State for agricultural or horticultural purposes. Under current law, counties are authorized to establish "County Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Funds" and municipalities are authorized to establish "Municipal Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Funds." This bill would expand this authorization to specifically include the acquisition and stewardship of lands in urban areas of the State for agricultural or horticultural purposes and would revise the names of these open space trust funds to include "urban agriculture and horticulture." | In Committee |
| A5626 | Creates "Census Complete Count Trust Fund" in Department of State for funding efforts to achieve full count of State's population each federal decennial census. | This bill creates a "Census Complete Count Trust Fund" in the Department of State for the funding efforts to achieve a full count of State's population during each federal decennial census. Under the bill, the State would appropriate into the fund from the State General Fund the sum of $1 million annually. Moneys in the fund would be invested and all interest or other income or earnings derived from such investment or reinvestment would be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund would be used by the department to fund State, local, and community efforts to achieve the full count of the State's population in each federal decennial census. The Legislature may prescribe by law the complete count activities that would be eligible to receive funds in the years and months preceding the census day. | In Committee |
| A5625 | Requires application option enhancement for certain housing, shelter, and rental assistance administered by DCA. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to ensure that applicants for any housing, shelter, or rental assistance programs administered by the Department of Community Affairs, including but not limited to, rental assistance that is administered by the department and authorized pursuant to section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. s.1437f), the State rental assistance program, established pursuant to P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1 et seq.), and any other similar State-administered programs related to housing, shelter, or rental assistance, are not limited to online application options. Additionally, the bill directs the commissioner to require that a person is able to apply through regular mail, electronic mail, in-person delivery, or fax. | In Committee |
| A5607 | Establishes Inclusive Workplaces Program in EDA to provide grants and tax credits to encourage employer investment in workspaces inclusive of neurodivergent employees; appropriates $2.5 million. | This bill establishes the Inclusive Workplaces Program ("program") within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority ("EDA) to encourage investments in inclusive workspaces that accommodate neurodivergent employees. Under the bill, the program would consist of two distinct components, including: (1) the issuance of grants to eligible small-business employers to support the development of neurodiversity-friendly workspaces; and (2) the issuance of tax credits to eligible large-business employers that have implemented workplace adjustments that foster neurodiversity-friendly workspaces. Notably, the bill allows the EDA to award up to $2.5 million in grants annually and to award up to $2.5 million in tax credits annually to eligible employers that undertake certain capital investments and workforce investments intended to create a working environment that accommodates a neurodiverse workforce. Capital investments and workforce investments that employers may undertake include, but are not limited to: (1) sensory-friendly workspace layouts, such as quiet zones and lighting adjustments; (2) adaptive equipment and technologies, such as noise-cancelling headphones and organization tools; and (3) workforce training programs, such as staff mentorships and management seminars focused on neurodiversity. Under the bill, eligibility for grants would be limited to employers that have their headquarters or base of operations in this State, employ fewer than 150 full-time employees, employ at least one full-time employee who identifies as neurodivergent; and demonstrate a commitment to inclusive workplaces with a focus on neurodiverse inclusion are eligible to apply for a grant under the program. Eligible small-business employers may apply to the EDA to receive a grant of up to $25,000 to fund qualified capital investments and workforce investments incurred after the date of the application. The bill appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to the EDA for grants. Eligibility for tax credits would be limited to employers that have their headquarters or base of operations in this State, employ 150 full-time employees or greater, employ at least three full-time employees who identify as neurodivergent, and demonstrate a commitment to inclusive workplaces with a focus on neurodiverse inclusion are eligible to apply for a tax credit under the program. Eligible large-business employers may apply to the EDA to receive tax credits in an amount equal to the lesser of $25,000 or 50 percent of the qualified capital investments and workforce investments incurred by the employer before the date of the application. Under the bill, the EDA would be permitted to prescribe the form and manner in which applications would be submitted for both program components. The bill also permits the EDA to approve applications on a rolling basis, subject to the annual limitations in grant awards and tax credit issuances for each program component. The bill also appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to the EDA to support the provisions of grants under the program. | In Committee |
| A5577 | Requires video surveillance of MVC drop box locations. | This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to install and maintain continuous video surveillance at all license plate drop box locations where the commission accepts the return of license plates that are no longer in use and to ensure that the video footage is continuously recorded at each location. Surveillance cameras are to be positioned in a manner that ensures clear and comprehensive coverage of each drop box. The cameras are to be capable of capturing high-definition footage and providing visibility of all individuals who use the drop box for license plate returns. Recorded footage from the surveillance cameras is to be stored, secured, and accessible for at least 30 days from the date of recording. Footage is not to be used for any purpose other than the security of commission drop boxes and investigations into criminal activity related to the use of the drop boxes. Finally, the commission is required to ensure that appropriate signage is placed near the drop boxes informing the public that video surveillance is in operation. | In Committee |
| A5608 | Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to businesses employing and retaining certain neurodiverse individuals. | This bill provides corporation business and gross income tax credits to taxpayers that employ certain neurodiverse individuals that work in qualifying STEM or artificial intelligence fields. The bill requires the Director of the Division of Vocational and Rehabilitation Services in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to certify that an individual works in a qualifying role and is considered to be neurodiverse in accordance with guidelines to be issued by the director. The credit for wages paid to a full-time qualified neurodiverse employee increases in amount depending on the number of consecutive years in which a taxpayer pays wages to the individual, as follows: not more than $7,000 per employee in the first year of employment; not more than $8,000 per employee in the second consecutive year of employment; and not more than $9,000 per employee in the third consecutive year of employment and each consecutive year of employment thereafter. The credit amount for wages paid to a part-time employee would not exceed $4,500 per employee in any privilege period or taxable year. | In Committee |
| A5605 | Establishes various programs to support neurodiverse students at county colleges; appropriates $1.475 million. | This bill establishes various programs to support the needs of neurodiverse students at county colleges in the State. In general, the term "neurodiversity" refers to the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. The bill requires the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, in coordination with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, to establish a two-year Accessibility Coordinator Pilot Program. The purpose of the pilot program is to distribute funds, throughout the course of the pilot program, to a total of three county colleges across the State to support the hiring of accessibility coordinators. The bill appropriates $900,000 for distribution to county colleges. The coordinators are to promote the academic and career success of neurodiverse students by, at a minimum: providing intentional academic advising; assisting students in navigating and accessing campus and community resources that may be beneficial to the students' academic and career growth; and connecting neurodiverse students to job opportunities and employers. The county colleges are to be selected following a competitive application process to be established by the office. The bill requires the New Jersey Council of County Colleges to offer to county college faculty and staff professional development and training opportunities related to teaching and supporting neurodiverse students enrolled in the county colleges. The bill appropriates $75,000 for distribution to the council to support the costs of providing professional development and training opportunities. The bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to establish a "County College Inclusive STEM Infrastructure Grant Program." The purpose of the program is to provide grants to county colleges for the cost, or a portion of the cost, of capital construction projects that extend or improve an instructional, laboratory, communication, or research facility to better accommodate the needs of neurodiverse students. Projects that receive funding pursuant to the program are required to extend or improve facilities that are utilized for instruction or research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or artificial intelligence. The bill appropriates $500,000 for this grant program. Pursuant to the bill, county colleges and four-year institutions of higher education are encouraged to collaborate on efforts to: bolster professional development and training supports to faculty and staff who work with neurodiverse students; better align courses to support the unique needs of students who may be transferring from a county college to a four-year institution of higher education; and develop partnerships between neurodiverse student programs offered at the county colleges and four-year institutions of higher education, to better support these students. | In Committee |
| A5617 | Eliminates court filing fees for individuals who are sued for consumer debt. | This bill would eliminate court filing fees for individuals who are sued to collect consumer debt. The bill provides that no such individual could be charged a court fee to file an appearance, an answer to a complaint, a counterclaim, a cross-claim, or a third-party complaint in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court, Law Division, including a small claim, or in the Civil Part of the Superior Court, Law Division. The bill defines "consumer debt" as debt incurred by an individual primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose, and includes consumer credit and medical debt as those terms are defined under current law. According to reports, in the majority of lawsuits to collect a consumer debt, the defendant does not respond or try to defend against the lawsuit. As a result, courts often enter default judgments against these defendants, leading to additional fees and interest as well as garnishment of wages and bank accounts. Consumer debt claims are often for relatively small sums, in amounts less than $10,000. This bill is based on Benchmark 5 in the 2024 "Consumer Debt Litigation Index" by the National Center for Access to Justice. | In Committee |
| A5579 | Requires public institution of higher education to provide students with information on food assistance programs. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, to develop general program information, including a link to the application, about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (commonly known as SNAP) and a link to the website for NJ 211, the Statewide information and referral service for health, emergency, and human services resources and assistance. The bill also requires each public institution of higher education to include with its initial offer of admission and, via email, upon each semester's registration: · the information developed pursuant to the bill's provisions; and · information on any food assistance, pantry, meal swipe, or similar programs offered by the institution or located in the community. | In Committee |
| A5609 | Requires health insurance carriers and Medicaid to provide coverage for planned home childbirth. | This bill requires health insurance carriers (health, hospital and medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and insurance companies), the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs to provide coverage for expenses incurred in planned home childbirth. The required coverage is to include, but not be limited to, costs associated with services provided by a health care provider, services provided by a doula, and equipment and medical supplies. Under the bill, a "health care provider" is defined to mean an individual or entity which, acting within the scope of its licensure or certification, provides health care services. The term includes a family practice physician, obstetrician, advanced practice nurse, registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified professional midwife, certified nurse midwife, or certified midwife. | In Committee |
| A5580 | Requires institutions of higher education to maintain supply of opioid antidotes and permits emergency administration of opioid antidote by campus medical professional or trained employee. | This bill requires public and independent institutions of higher education in New Jersey to obtain a supply of opioid antidotes to be maintained in one or more secure and easily accessible locations at the institution. The bill requires the institutions to develop a policy for the emergency administration of an opioid antidote to a student, staff member, or other person who is experiencing an opioid overdose. The policies must: (1) designate a licensed campus medical professional to oversee the institution's program for the maintenance and emergency administration of opioid antidotes; (2) permit a licensed campus medical professional and other designated trained employees of the institution to administer an opioid antidote to any person whom the licensed campus medical professional or trained employee in good faith believes is experiencing an opioid overdose; and (3) require the transportation of an overdose victim to a hospital emergency room by emergency services personnel after the administration of an opioid antidote. Under an institution's policy, a licensed campus medical professional will have the primary responsibility for the emergency administration of an opioid antidote. The governing board of an institution of higher education will designate additional employees of the institution who volunteer to administer an opioid antidote in the event that a person experiences an opioid overdose when a licensed campus medical professional is not physically present at the scene. The licensed campus medical professionals and designated employees are required to receive training on standardized protocols for the administration of an opioid antidote to a person who experiences an opioid overdose. The training will include the overdose prevention information set forth in the State's "Overdose Prevention Act." The bill directs the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Human Services and appropriate medical experts, to establish guidelines for institutions of higher education in developing their policies for the administration of opioid antidotes, including guidelines concerning the training requirements for licensed campus medical professionals and designated employees. Institutions of higher education will be required to implement the guidelines in developing their policies. The bill provides immunity from liability for licensed campus medical professionals, trained designees, and other employees or agents of an institution of higher education, and for pharmacists and prescribers of opioid antidotes for an institution of higher education, for good faith acts or omissions consistent with the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| A5583 | Prohibits certain public utilities from charging residents of multi-unit dwellings meter-reading fees in certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits an electric public utility or a gas public utility from charging a residential customer who resides in a multi-unit dwelling a meter-reading fee that exceeds the cost of the residential customer's electricity or gas usage for that billing cycle. Under the bill, "meter-reading fee" means a fee charged to an electric public utility or gas public utility customer who has opted out of smart meter installation, and which fee is intended to cover the cost of manual meter readings conducted by an electric public utility or gas public utility. | In Committee |
| A5502 | Revises provisions of "County College Contracts Law"; permits bidder disqualification due to prior negative experience. | This bill makes various changes to the "County College Contracts Law." The public bid threshold for county colleges is currently $41,600. Under current law, the threshold is adjusted every two years by the Governor, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, in direct proportion to the rise or fall of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers in New York and Northeastern New Jersey and the Philadelphia areas, as reported by the United States Department of Labor. This bill raises the threshold to $100,000 for contracts through which workers employed in the performance of the contract are not paid in accordance to the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act." The threshold for contracts through which workers employed in the performance of the contract are paid in accordance with the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act" remains unchanged. Both thresholds will continue to be adjusted by the Governor every two years in the same manner. This bill revises the law that enumerates numerous exemptions to the requirement for public advertising and bidding to also include: (1) the use of electronic data or media services for the publication of legal notices; (2) the production and reproduction of printed materials in electronic and digital formats; (3) information technology; (4) the rental of space and equipment used for graduation and other events and ceremonies; (5) management contracts for bookstores, performing arts centers, residence halls, parking facilities, and building operations; (6) certain consulting services; (7) construction management services; (8) certain technical equipment purchases or rentals; (9) banking and investment services; (10) energy supply from a third-party supplier; (11) hazardous waste collection and disposal services; (12) supplies and services for the administration of study abroad or remote programs; (13) transportation services; (14) vehicle maintenance; (15) vending services; and (16) medical testing. The bill also provides that a county college may purchase without public advertising for bids if the purchase or contract is to be awarded through a reverse auction for the purchase of utilities and other commodities. Additionally, the bill increases the length of time a county college may enter into certain contracts from 24 to 36 consecutive months and permits a county college to enter into certain contracts for a term of not more than five years. The bill also stipulates maximum contract lengths for the provision of: banking, financial services, and e-commerce services; services for maintenance and repair of building systems; and the purchase of alternative energy or the purchase or lease of alternative energy services or equipment for conservation or cost saving purposes. The bill modifies for county colleges the standard for the award of contracts for goods and services, as distinct from construction contracts.Under current law, these contracts are required to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Pursuant to the bill, the board of trustees of a county college is required to award these contracts to the responsible bidder whose bid will be most advantageous to the county college, price and other factors considered. The bill provides that a board of trustees of a county college may, by resolution approved by a majority of the board, disqualify a bidder who would otherwise be determined to be the lowest responsible bidder or the responsible bidder whose bid would otherwise be determined to be most advantageous to the county college as applicable, if the board finds that a board of a public institution of higher education in the State has had a prior negative experience with the bidder within the past 15 years. The bill sets forth conditions that must be applied if a county college is contemplating a bidder disqualification based on prior negative experience including: giving the State college discretion to disqualify a bidder; requiring consideration of mitigating factors; requiring the provision of written notice to the bidder of a potential disqualification and an opportunity for a hearing; and limiting the period of time during which a bidder may be disqualified. | In Committee |
| A4586 | Establishes "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act." | Establishes "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act." | In Committee |
| A4486 | Establishes State contract goal for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. | This bill establishes a State contract goal for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. The bill establishes a goal that contracting agencies award at least 30 percent of their contracts to socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. Socially disadvantaged businesses are defined as businesses owned by individuals who can demonstrate membership in a racial minority group or show personal disadvantage due to color, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical disability, long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society, or location in an area of high unemployment. Economically disadvantaged businesses are defined as businesses owned by individuals who can demonstrate their ability to compete for State contracts has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities compared to others in the same line of business who are not socially disadvantaged and a personal net worth below a certain level. | 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 |
| 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 |
| A4343 | Establishes New Jersey-Haiti Commission. | Establishes New Jersey-Haiti Commission. | 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 |
| A5471 | "Healthy Smiles Act"; increases NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services; requires NJ FamilyCare managed care rates for identical services be no less than fee-for-service rates. | This bill makes certain adjustments to the NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rates for oral health services and supplies. The bill requires that, commencing upon July 1, 2025 or 60 days following the enactment of this bill, whichever is later, the NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service reimbursement rates for covered pediatric oral health services and supplies will be increased by 20 percent from the reimbursement rates in use for identical services at the time of the bill's adoption. Commencing one year after the implementation of the increased reimbursement rates, and annually thereafter, the bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner) to adjust the existing fee-for-service reimbursement rates according to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor for the Northeast region of the country in the previous January over the immediately preceding 12-month period. For reference, in November 2024, the most recent time this data was assessed over a 12-month period, the CPI increased by 3.5 percent. Finally, the commissioner is required to ensure that every contract entered into on and after the effective date of this bill between the State and a managed care organization (MCO) for the provision of NJ FamilyCare services provides that the reimbursement rates for pediatric oral health services and supplies are equal to or greater than the NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service reimbursement rates for the identical services and supplies. Under the bill, an MCO in violation of this provision would be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day that the non-compliant reimbursement rate was issued. Any penalties assessed are to be collected by the commissioner in the name of the State in a summary proceeding in accordance with State law. The commissioner's determination regarding violations is the final agency decision, subject to review by the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. | In Committee |
| A5470 | Provides allowance for certain redevelopment projects undertaken by institutions of higher education under New Jersey Aspire program. | This bill modifies certain provisions of the "New Jersey Aspire Program" (Aspire Program) related to construction of institutional projects. Under the bill, the term "institutional project" is defined as a redevelopment project that is developed by, or in affiliation with, a public or private institution of higher education, and for which at least 51 percent of the square footage of the project is dedicated for the use of qualified research and development. "Qualified research and development" is defined to mean research and development activities that are undertaken within a priority industry, including, but not limited to, technology, artificial intelligence, software development, financial services, financial services technology, film and digital media, advanced manufacturing, gaming, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, transportation, logistics, and renewable energy. Specifically, the bill requires the calculation of the "project cost" of an institutional project to include the construction and completion of: research workspaces; meeting, classroom, dining, and dormitory spaces; and common areas, including, but not limited to, hallways, utility rooms, storage areas, and parking components. The bill also provides that an institutional project is eligible for an incentive award equal to 80 percent of project costs, which incentive award is limited to a maximum value of $120 million. To qualify for an incentive award under the Aspire Program, the bill provides that the developer of an institutional project is required to contribute capital of at least $30 million, regardless of the overall cost of the project, except when the project is located in a government-restricted municipality. Under current law, the developer of a redevelopment project is required to contribute capital of at least 20 percent of the total project costs, except that if the project is located in a government-restricted municipality, the developer is required to contribute capital of at least 10 percent of the total project cost. Additionally, the bill provides that an institutional project is not subject to a net benefit analysis that is required for certain other redevelopment projects. Under current law, an exemption from the net benefit analysis is provided for investments in residential projects, food delivery sources, and health care or health services centers. The bill also provides similar changes for institutional projects that qualify as transformative projects under the Aspire Program. Specifically, the bill provides that these projects are eligible for an incentive award equal to 80 percent of project costs, up to $400 million or the amount of the project financing gap. The bill also exempts these projects from the net benefit analysis requirement. | In Committee |
| A4944 | Requires DHS to conduct public awareness campaign on benefits of doula and midwife services, and educate women on NJ FamilyCare coverage of these services. | The bill requires the Department of Human Services (the DHS) to conduct a public awareness campaign to inform women and birthing persons about the benefits of health care services provided by certified doulas and licensed midwives, and the availability of NJ FamilyCare coverage for doula and midwife services. The public awareness campaign will encompass both print and electronic media. The public awareness campaign will include information concerning: (1) the person-centered care and supportive services that doulas and midwives provide for both birthing persons and infants over the prenatal, birthing, and postpartum periods; (2) the culturally competent nature of the care and services available from doulas and midwives; (3) the continuum of well-woman care delivered by midwives; (4) the health benefits and improved maternal and infant health outcomes resulting from doula and midwife care; and (5) the availability of NJ FamilyCare coverage for doula and midwife services for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum enrollees, and coverage for midwife care and services across the lifespan of women enrolled in NJ FamilyCare. Under the bill, the DHS will provide, in an easily accessible location on its website, information concerning the types of care and services furnished by doulas and midwives, the health benefits associated with the doula and midwife care, and the availability of NJ FamilyCare coverage for doula and midwife services. The DHS website will also include a directory of doulas and midwives who are approved NJ FamilyCare providers, and information on the NJ FamilyCare managed care plans in which each doula and midwife participates. The DHS, at a minimum, will update the information in the directory annually. | In Committee |
| A567 | 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. | In Committee |
| A4882 | Requires cell phone and social media guidelines to be developed by DOE and policy to be adopted by each school district. | Requires cell phone and social media guidelines to be developed by DOE and policy to be adopted by each school district. | 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 |
| A1802 | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct danger assessment of domestic violence victims and provide assistance to high-risk victims. | This bill requires law enforcement officers to conduct a danger assessment of victims of domestic violence and provide assistance to victims deemed to be at a higher risk of harm. Specifically, the bill requires a law enforcement officer to conduct a danger assessment of any person who the officer has reasonable cause to believe is a victim of domestic violence in order to determine if the potential victim is in immediate need of services. The danger assessment is to be conducted with the consent of the alleged victim using an objective, standardized, and evidence-based domestic violence danger assessment instrument approved by the Attorney General, in consultation with the Domestic Violence Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board. The danger assessment instrument is required to generate a score or rating that indicates an elevated risk that an alleged victim of domestic violence will suffer serious bodily injury or death as a result of a future act of domestic violence. The approved instrument is to be based on information deemed relevant by the Attorney General which is to include, but not be limited to: · the date of all recent acts of domestic violence using a calendar provided by the officer to the victim to identify or approximate the date of all recent acts; and· for each recent act of domestic violence:o a description of each act including the type of physical violence used, if any; o whether any injuries were sustained by the alleged victim; ando whether the act involved the use of, or threat to use a firearm or other weapon. If the danger assessment generates a score or rating that indicates an elevated risk of serious bodily injury or death to an alleged victim, the law enforcement officer is required to: notify the victim that the score generated indicates there is an elevated risk; and, with the consent of the alleged victim, facilitate the provisions of immediate assistance through a domestic crisis team or other services available to victims of domestic violence. The bill also requires the Attorney General to incorporate the current domestic violence curriculum for law enforcement officer training on how to conduct the danger assessment and notifying and facilitating access to services to alleged victims who are deemed to be at an elevated risk of harm. | 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 |
| A5093 | Requires school meal service providers to give purchasing preference to foods produced by in-State farmers and other food producers located within State borders or within 100 miles of destination school. | Requires school meal service providers to give purchasing preference to foods produced by in-State farmers and other food producers located within State borders or within 100 miles of destination school. | In Committee |
| A5390 | Requires school districts to alert school employees of credible threats to school community. | This bill requires school districts to alert school employees of threats to school community. This bill requires a school employee to immediately notify the principal or the principal's designee if the employee has information that an individual has threatened, is planning or otherwise intends to cause death, serious bodily injury, or significant bodily injury to another person under circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe the individual genuinely intends at some time in the future to commit the violent act or carry out the threat. After being notified by the school employee, the principal or the principal's designee is to immediately report the incident to the appropraite law enforcement agency. The bill stipulates that the principal's designee may by any member of the school's threat assessment team. If the appropriate law enforcement agency determines the report is an imminent credible threat, then the principal or the principal's designee is to: (1) immediately notify the students, the parents and guardians of the students, teachers, and all staff of the school emergency; (2) place the individual on a list that prohibits access to school property and school-sponsored events; and (3) distribute the list to all school employees where the threat was made and the administrators of all the schools in the district and neighboring school districts that may be impacted by the threat. The bill specifies that the notification is to disclose information regarding the threat as deemed appropriate by the law enforcement agency, which may include: (1) the individual's name; (2) a picture of the individual; and (3) a description of the threat. Under the bill, an individual who is not a school employee may notify the principal or the principal's designee of a threat pursuant to the provisions of this bill. The bill stipulates that a school employee, including the employee that identifies the threat, the principal or principal's designee, or any other officer or agent of a board of education, is not to be held liable for any good faith act or omission consistent with the provisions of this bill. Additionally, the bill amends current law to specify that training on school safety and security is to include emergency response protocols, such as notifying the school community of threats and the establishment and enforcement of procedures that prohibit access of certain individuals to school property and school-sponsored events as established in the bill. | 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 |
| A5352 | Establishes "Teacher Certification Reform Act of 2025." | This bill establishes the "Teacher Certification Reform Act of 2025." The bill specifically directs the State Board of Education to authorize the following endorsements to the instructional certificate: (1) a Student with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement; (2) a revised Elementary School endorsement; (3) a Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement; and (4) a General Science endorsement. The bill permits teachers holding certain similar endorsements prior to the establishment of the new endorsements to obtain the new endorsements upon application to the State Board of Examiners. Under the bill, a candidate seeking a Middle School with Subject Matter Specialization: World Languages/Other World Languages endorsement is not required to complete subject matter preparation credits if certain listed requirements are met. The bill also directs the State Board of Education to rename the Deaf or Hard of Hearing for Oral/Aural Communication and the Deaf or Hard of Hearing for Sign Language Communication endorsements as Teacher of the Auditorily Impaired for Oral/Aural Communication and Teacher of the Auditorily Impaired for Sign Language Communication endorsements. Finally, the bill prohibits the Department of Education from requiring a teacher candidate seeking an instructional certificate with an Elementary School endorsement to achieve a minimum score on each individual subtest of the State test for subject matter knowledge, but instead to achieve a minimum average composite score of all the subtests. According to the sponsor, by creating the new standalone endorsements in the bill, adjusting testing requirements, and renaming certain endorsements, the bill seeks to make the certification process more accessible and equitable while maintaining high standards for teacher quality. These changes are essential for attracting and retaining a diverse and qualified teacher workforce in New Jersey. | 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 |
| A5212 | Provides for expansion of social services supports at county colleges. | Provides for expansion of social services supports at county colleges. | In Committee |
| A5304 | Upgrades penalties for certain prostitution crimes; creates crimes of leader of prostitution network and participant in prostitution network. | This bill upgrades certain crimes related to prostitution and creates the crimes of leader of a prostitution network and participant in a prostitution network. The bill upgrades the criminal penalties for the promotion of prostitution to a crime of the second degree and imposes a mandatory minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, or five years, whichever is greater, during which time the defendant would not be eligible for parole. Under current law, all crimes under the umbrella of promotion of prostitution are crimes of the third degree, except the crimes of soliciting a person to patronize a prostitute and procuring a prostitute for a patron, which are crimes of the fourth degree. The bill also upgrades the criminal penalties for compelling another to engage in or promote prostitution and promoting prostitution of one's spouse from crimes of the third degree to crimes of the second degree, and imposes a mandatory minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, or five years, whichever is greater, during which time the defendant would not be eligible for parole. The bill creates two new crimes: (1) leader of a prostitution network, a crime of the second degree; and (2) participant in a prostitution network, a crime of the third degree. The bill provides that it is an affirmative defense to the crime of participant in a prostitution network that the defendant was a victim of human trafficking during the commission of the crime. A disorderly persons offense is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. Under the bill, crimes related to prostitution, with the exception of engaging in prostitution as a prostitute, would be ineligible for admission into the Pretrial Intervention Program. This bill is in response to the State Commission of Investigation report released on October 17, 2024, entitled "An Inquiry into Human Trafficking Activity in the Massage and Bodywork Therapy Industry in New Jersey." | In Committee |
| A4612 | Increases resource threshold limit for certain Medicaid eligibility groups. | Increases resource threshold limit for certain Medicaid eligibility groups. | In Committee |
| A4451 | Establishes Task Force on Aging in State of New Jersey in DOH. | Establishes Task Force on Aging in New Jersey in DOH. | In Committee |
| A5324 | Requires law enforcement use-of-force incidents to be reported within 24 hours. | This bill requires every State, county, and municipal law enforcement agency to notify within 24 hours the county prosecutor's office of the county in which a law enforcement incident occurs. The bill defines a "law enforcement incident" as any of the following: 1) use of force by a law enforcement officer resulting in death or serious bodily injury; 2) use of deadly force, including the discharge of a firearm, by a law enforcement officer regardless of whether the force resulted in injury; 3) the death of any civilian during an encounter with a law enforcement officer; and 4) the death of any civilian while in the custody of law enforcement. Under the bill, the county prosecutor would be required to immediately notify the Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) who would select an independent investigator no later than 24 hours after the law enforcement incident occurs. The independent investigator would be responsible for conducting an investigation in accordance with guidelines established by the Attorney General. This bill codifies certain provisions of an Attorney General Directive concerning criminal investigations of law enforcement use-of-force and in custody deaths. | In Committee |
| A5269 | Establishes Rent Control Enforcement Unit in DCA; authorizes residential tenant to petition for review of alleged violation of local rent restriction. | This bill establishes a Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and authorizes a residential tenant to petition the RCEU to investigate and modify a rent increase, or proposed rent increase, that the tenant believes is in violation of a local rent restriction. As used in the bill, a "local rent restriction" refers to an ordinance, rule, or regulation adopted by the governing body of a municipality, or administrative entity thereof, that limits rent increases on residential tenants. A "local rent restriction" also includes, but is not limited to, a rent increase limit on low- or moderate-income housing established by an administrative agent in compliance with the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.). The bill authorizes the RCEU to require a residential tenant to exhaust other avenues for an administrative challenge, made available by the municipality or administrative entity thereof that administers the local rent restriction, before the tenant petitions the RCEU. The bill provides that the director of the RCEU is to be appointed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner), to serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. The bill directs the RCEU to receive petitions to investigate violations of local rent restrictions, initiated by tenants, and enforce penalties as appropriate. A penalty enforced by the RCEU for a violation of a local rent restriction may consist of any combination of:· a mandatory rent reduction to an amount as low as the lowest rental rate charged for previous year;· a penalty in an amount of up to four months of rental payments, to be retained by the department to provide for continued enforcement of the bill; or· authorization for the tenant to prematurely terminate the lease. The bill requires the RCEU to provide and administer a dedicated helpline, and a portal on the department's Internet website, to provide assistance to tenants and permit the reporting of violations of local rent restrictions. The bill establishes a nonlapsing fund for penalties retained by the department, and appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to the fund to defray the costs associated with establishing the RCEU. The bill specifies that the Legislature is to annually appropriate the funding necessary for the purposes of the bill to the RCEU, when taking into account the amounts anticipated to be annually collected in penalties. The bill directs the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill on or before the first day of the fifth month following enactment of the bill. The bill takes effect on the first day of the fifth month following enactment, except that the commissioner is to take such anticipatory actions as are necessary to comply with the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A5268 | Authorizes expanded use of electronic procurement for public bidding conducted by county college. | This bill expands the use of electronic procurement for public bidding conducted by a county college under the "County College Contracts Law." The bill permits a county college to, in addition to publishing bids in a legal newspaper, post advertisements for bids using electronic data or media services, including the Internet. Additionally, the bill permits a county college to receive bids in an electronic format or other format designated by the contracting agent. The bill also permits a county college to, in addition to publishing revisions or addenda to advertisements or bid documents in a legal newspaper, post the revisions or addenda using electronic data or media services, including the Internet. Under the bill, a county college is permitted to utilize electronic procurement processes for purposes authorized by the board of trustees and in accordance with the Local Unit Electronic Procurement Act. A county college is required to continue to publish any notices, advertising bids, and requests for proposals required by law in a legal newspaper. Under current law, a county college is permitted to utilize electronic procurement practices for public works construction contracts. | In Committee |
| A4254 | Establishes limits on transcript release restrictions at institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions. | Establishes limits on transcript release restrictions at institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions. | Crossed Over |
| AJR63 | Designates January 13 of each year as Korean American Day in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates January 13 of each year as "Korean American Day" in New Jersey. On January 13, 1903, 102 courageous Korean immigrants arrived in the United States initiating the first wave of Korean immigration to America. These pioneering Korean immigrants faced tremendous social and economic obstacles as well as language barriers in America. They established a new home in a new land through resilience, tenacious effort, and immense sacrifice, which became the bedrock for their children and future generations of Korean Americans. Korean Americans have made significant contributions to the economic vitality of the United States, and the global marketplace. Their contributions include achievements in engineering, architecture, medicine, the arts, and writing. Korean Americans have also made enormous contributions to the military strength of the United States and served with distinction in the Armed Forces during World War I, World War II, the Vietnam conflict, the Korean conflict, and subsequent military conflicts across the globe. This State should commemorate the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States, and recognize the invaluable contributions Korean Americans have made to the United States. | Crossed Over |
| A2437 | Requires ingredients of menstrual products to be listed on package. | Requires ingredients of menstrual products to be listed on package. | Crossed Over |
| S684 | Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients's admission to long-term care facility. | An Act allowing for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients' admission to certain long-term care facilities and supplementing Title 56 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3879 | Amends lists of projects eligible to receive loans for environmental infrastructure projects from NJ Infrastructure Bank for FY2025. | An Act concerning the expenditure of funds by the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to finance a portion of the cost of certain environmental infrastructure projects, and amending P.L.2024, c.41. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5226 | Establishes Municipal Flood Management Assistance Program in DEP. | This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a program to provide grants to municipalities to address storm flooding, in consultation with the Department of Transportation. The program would establish a grant program for municipalities to assist with flood risk assessments, flood mitigation measures, emergency preparedness, public awareness, and sustainable development. With available information and data about municipal level of need, the DEP would develop guidelines and procedures for the submission of applications by municipalities to receive a grant from the program, establish criteria by which municipalities may qualify for the program, determine prioritization methods for assistance to municipalities in the greatest need, such as for flood mitigation projects located in overburdened communities, designate acceptable uses for grant funds, and select recipients for grant awards under the program. Through the grant program, the department will provide tools and resources to allow municipalities to identify high-risk flood areas, support structural and non-structural solutions to reduce flood impacts, equip municipalities with training, tools, and protocols for flood emergencies, and encourage land-use planning that minimizes flood risks and promotes resilient infrastructure. These tools, resources, protocols, and supports may include geographic information system-based mapping tools (such as the DEP's flood indicator map), vulnerability assessments, available resources on sources of sea level rise, flood hazard, and flood management planning, technical assistance, and funding for design of sustainable stormwater management systems (such as retention basins, living or nature-based shorelines, dikes, coastal barriers, stormwater management basins, polders, weirs, and permeable pavements). Under the bill, the DEP would determine the application procedures and criteria for evaluating applications. The DEP would include in the annual budget request a sufficient sum to carry out the purposes and objectives of the act. Municipalities would be required to submit reports to the DEP relating to its use of grant funds and progress in achieving its goals. Additionally, the DEP would file an annual report with the Governor and Legislature on the effectiveness of the grant program in accomplishing its flood management objectives. | 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 |
| A4935 | Establishes Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program and artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program. | This bill establishes an Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Under the bill, the program will collaborate with companies in the artificial intelligence industry to offer apprenticeship opportunities that focus on artificial intelligence technology, data analytics, and automation; facilitate partnerships between employers and educational institutions; assist employers in establishing and administering apprenticeship programs; and inform employers of the artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program. The bill also establishes an artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program under the gross income tax and corporation business tax. The bill gives employers with qualified artificial intelligence industry apprenticeship programs the lesser of $5,000 per apprentice or one-half of an apprentice's wages. To qualify for credit, an apprenticeship must employee an unskilled or semi-skilled person in the artificial intelligence industry, including data analytics and automation, that is employed by the taxpayer for no less than 20 calendar weeks in the privilege period as part of a term of artificial intelligence industry training not exceeding four tax years. | In Committee |
| A4266 | Provides that only registered design professionals or employees with certified fire escape contractors are authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes. | Provides that only registered design professionals or employees with certified fire escape contractors are authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes. | In Committee |
| A4220 | Revises Statewide transfer agreements for transfer of academic credit and reverse credit at participating institutions of higher education; establishes New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within Office of Secretary of Higher Education. | Revises Statewide transfer agreements for transfer of academic credit and reverse credit at participating institutions of higher education; establishes New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within Office of Secretary of Higher Education. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| A2334 | Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipient's admission to long-term care facility. | Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipient's admission to long-term care facility. | In Committee |
| A5123 | Amends lists of projects eligible to receive loans for environmental infrastructure projects from NJ Infrastructure Bank for FY2025. | Amends lists of projects eligible to receive loans for environmental infrastructure projects from NJ Infrastructure Bank for FY2025. | In Committee |
| AR152 | Expresses support for "Breakfast Bowl" held by Montclair State University and Rowan University and recognizes food insecurity efforts of these institutions. | This Assembly resolution expresses support for the annual "Breakfast Bowl" between Montclair State University and Rowan University, which aims to bring attention to the fight against food insecurity many residents in this State endure. The winner of the annual event, along with receiving a trophy, will have the privilege of determining whether New Jersey's famous breakfast meat is to be called "Pork Roll" or "Taylor Ham" until the teams meet for the next year's "Breakfast Bowl." Montclair State University and Rowan University both operate food pantries that seek, in part, to provide fresh produce as part of their efforts to combat food insecurity. With successful football programs that enjoy strong alumni connections and widespread stakeholder support, the "Breakfast Bowl" provides a unique opportunity for the Montclair and Rowan communities, corporate sponsors, State residents, and elected officials to come together in the fight against food insecurity across New Jersey. This resolution also recognizes the significant contributions Montclair State University and Rowan University have made in higher education through academics, community development, and athletics. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4893 | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | In Committee |
| A4128 | Prohibits operation of drone over school under certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits the operation of an unmanned aircraft system, commonly referred to as a drone, over a school under certain circumstances. Specifically, under the provisions of this bill, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person knowingly operates a drone below 250 feet over the building or grounds of any school for the purpose of conducting surveillance or gathering information without the prior written authorization of the superintendent or chief school administrator. In addition, under the bill, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person knowingly operates a drone below 250 feet over the building or grounds of any school and the unmanned aircraft system remains above or hovers above the building or grounds of the school without the prior written authorization of the superintendent or chief school administrator. Further, a person commits a disorderly persons offense if the person uses the building or grounds of a school as a takeoff or landing area for a drone. A disorderly person offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The bill defines, "school" as a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school within this State offering education in grades kindergarten through 12, or any combination of grades, at which a child may legally fulfill compulsory school attendance requirements. Finally, the bill provides that the bill's provisions do not prohibit the authorized use, in compliance with applicable federal rules and regulations, of a drone by a public employee, or a public entity, or by a first responder in the performance of official duties. | In Committee |
| A5131 | Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities. | This bill modifies State statutes regarding extended employment programs that provide rehabilitation and employment for persons with significant disabilities. The bill renames the "Sheltered Workshop Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.272 (C.34:16-39 et seq.), as the "Extended Employment Act." The bill amends the act to change the term used to designate facilities operated by nonprofit organizations to provide vocational rehabilitation and transitional employment to persons with disabilities from "sheltered workshop" to "extended employment." The bill relaxes the specifications regarding which individuals, deemed "extended employees," may be served under extended employment programs by permitting the individuals to have "significant," rather than "severe," disabilities and by removing the requirement that they first complete a workshop program, and that, after completing the program, their disability still makes them incapable of competing in the regular labor market. The bill eliminates the role of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in determining the eligibility of individuals to be served by an extended employment program, setting standards for staff, facilities, and services of the programs, and requiring documentation of services. The bill eliminates the requirement that individual progress reports be provided and removes the law's exemption of extended employment facilities from the permit requirements and certain other requirements of the industrial homework law, P.L.1941, c.308 (C.34:6-136.1 et eq.). The bill clarifies the desired program outcomes of the extended employment program. The bill also sets requirements for baseline funding for the extended employment funding and parameters for minimum increases based on the funding provided in the FY 2024 New Jersey State Budget combined with the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) or 80 percent of expenses outlined in a functional expense report to be submitted by providers of extended employment services each fiscal year, whichever of the two is greater. The bill clarifies that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitative Services is responsible for informing and referring individuals to the extended employment program and requires consultation with ACCSES New Jersey for consultation on major policy and leadership changes within the division. The bill repeals the provisions of P.L.1975, c.350 (C.34:16-45 et seq.) concerning the sale of products produced in extended employment facilities, including specific labeling requirements, requirements regarding the minimum percentage of work to be done in the facilities, and penalties for misrepresentation regarding the disability status of the workers. Finally, the bill eliminates references to particular kinds of transportation in the program assisting persons with disabilities in extended employment programs. | In Committee |
| AJR207 | Urges Congress to call constitutional convention to consider reproductive health care rights. | This joint resolution urges the United States Congress to call a Constitutional convention. Such a convention would consider amending the constitution to provide for reproductive health rights for all Americans, including the right to access contraception, to terminate a pregnancy, and to carry a pregnancy to term. A constitutional amendment proposed by Congress through a constitutional convention, and ratified by three-fourths of the states, will ensure that all individuals, regardless of where they live, have access to essential reproductive health services. | In Committee |
| A3561 | Establishes crime of doxxing. | This bill establishes the crime of doxxing. Under the bill, doxxing occurs if a person, with the purpose to subject another person to violence, stalking, physical restraining, mental anguish, or to cause a person to fear for their own safety or that of another, knowingly discloses personal identifying information without the person's consent. A crime is committed under the bill when the disclosure: (1) creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or physical harm to the person or a close relation of the person; (2) creates a substantial risk that the person or a close relation of the person is subjected to stalking; or (3) inflicts mental anguish upon the person or a close relation of the person and places the person or close relation in reasonable fear of physical harm. Under the bill, "close relation" is defined as a spouse; domestic partner; partner in a civil union couple; former spouse, former domestic partner; former partner in a civil union; parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, stepsibling, child, stepchild, or grandchild, whether related by blood or by law; any person who is a present household member, or who was, within the prior six months, a household member; or any person with a significant personal or professional relationship. The crime of doxxing does not occur if the disclosure was made: (1) in good faith to inform any member of the public of conduct by the person that the actor reasonably believed to be unlawful; (2) in good faith to inform law enforcement of conduct committed by the person that the actor reasonably believed to constitute a crime; or (3) while cooperating in an official investigation or prosecution of a violation of N.J.S.A.2C:33-4.1, cyber harassment. The bill also establishes a rebuttable presumption that the actor did not act with the purpose established under the bill if the personal identifying information of another person was disclosed for the primary purpose of: (a) publishing, disseminating, or reporting in good faith conduct by an elected public official or law enforcement officer acting in their official capacity that the actor reasonably believe to be unlawful or an abuse of authority; or (b) engaging in lawful and constitutionally protected activity as it pertains to speech, assembly, press, or petition. Doxxing is a crime of the fourth degree unless the disclosure results in any serious bodily injury, physical harm, or stalking, at which time it becomes a crime of the third degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. | In Committee |
| A4881 | Requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to notify Higher Education Student Assistance Authority of approved federal borrower defense loan discharge. | Requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to notify Higher Education Student Assistance Authority of approved federal borrower defense loan discharge. | In Committee |
| A4934 | Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage for certain children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older. | Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage for certain children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older. | In Committee |
| A4626 | Requires construction project applicants to disclose project financing. | Requires construction project applicants to disclose project financing. | In Committee |
| A5033 | Establishes public-private partnerships to develop artificial intelligence job training. | This bill enables the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to establish public-private partnerships to develop and advance AI workforce training. The training will have a dual purpose of retraining workers displaced by AI and providing training in AI skills for active workers to enable the workforce to remain competitive in evolving AI technology. The public-private partnerships will enable the private entity to assume full financial and administrative responsibility for the development of training and retraining services related to AI in exchange for not being subject to certain procurement and prevailing wage criteria. The department will establish methods of publicizing the program, establish criteria for evaluating the proposals, and define the various administrative requirements. In addition, the department will establish an advisory council to provide targeted feedback on the progress of the program and insight on how that training can be improved. | In Committee |
| AR131 | Urges federal government to raise federal poverty line for public assistance programs. | This resolution urges the federal government to raise the federal poverty line for public assistance programs. The current federal poverty line was developed in the 1960s and was based on a household's ability to afford basic foodstuffs alone; it did not account for other living expenses such as housing, transportation, child care, and health care, which have all risen exponentially in price over the past sixty years. The federal government has not changed the original calculation for the poverty line since its inception, aside from adjusting for inflation. Consequently, nearly 53 million households cannot afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and health care, but only 37.9 million are officially recorded as living in poverty, as of 2022. The poverty threshold is used to determine eligibility for public assistance programs. As a result, the individuals and households who do not earn enough money to support their basic needs but do not meet the stringent limits of the current federal poverty line are without access to public assistance. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the rampant rate of inflation have only worsened the cost-of-living crisis, increasing the financial burden on many poor Americans who cannot access social welfare. In addition, recent policies to raise the minimum wage across the country have had unintended consequences for low-wage earners who have lost access to public assistance in exchange for a marginal, and often insufficient, increase in pay, resulting in a benefits cliff. By raising the federal poverty line, the federal government can more accurately report the number of impoverished Americans and, therefore, expand access to public assistance programs for the individuals and households who need it. [CM1]This number increased from 51 million when I first researched and drafted this assignment in July 2023. [CM2]This number decreased from 38.1 million when I first researched and drafted this assignment in July 2023. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4988 | Establishes Office of Bilingual and English Language Learner Education in DOE. | This bill establishes the Office of Bilingual and English Language Learner Education (office) in the Department of Education. The objective of the office is to provide targeted support to students from Latino, Hispanic, and other non-English speaking communities in an effort to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities. The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to appoint an executive director of the office who is required to devote full-time to the performance of the duties of the office and who is to receive a salary as fixed by the commissioner. Under the bill, the office is required to include divisions dedicated to curriculum development, teacher training, student support services, and community outreach. The duties of the office include, at a minimum: (1) creating and overseeing bilingual education programs tailored to meet the needs of students from Latino, Hispanic, and other non-English speaking communities; (2) providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities for educators to enhance their ability to support bilingual and English language learner students; (3) offering academic support and counseling services to bilingual and English language learner students; (4) developing and distributing parental resources; (5) developing initiatives to engage parents and community members in the academic process; (6) overseeing compliance with relevant federal and State laws and regulations; and (7) developing a central repository for all Department of Education bilingual and English language learner resources. The bill requires the office to develop and maintain an Internet website within 60 days of the effective date of the bill and to provide information on the website in the five most common languages spoken in the State. Under the bill, each school district in the State is required to annually submit a report to the department detailing the enrollment, progress, and outcomes of bilingual and English language learner students enrolled in each school in the district. The department is then required to analyze the data provided by the school district to assess the effectiveness of the school district's bilingual and English language learner programs and identify areas for improvement. If the department determines that a school is not compliant with federal or State laws and regulations governing bilingual and English language learner students, the bill requires the school to develop a corrective active plan to ensure compliance. The school is required to present the corrective action plan to the board of education and the department, and to annually review and revise the corrective action plan until the department determines the school is in compliance with applicable federal and State laws and regulations. Under the bill, the executive director of the office is to annually submit a report to the commissioner that includes a summary of any bilingual and English language learner programs developed or offered by the office, services provided, community engagement programs offered, information on school district reporting required under the bill, and any recommendations the executive director deems appropriate and necessary for ensuring the academic success of bilingual and English language learner students. | In Committee |
| A4990 | Concerns credit inquiries for rental applications. | This bill prohibits landlords from performing, or causing to be performed, hard credit inquiries on prospective tenants who apply for low- or moderate-income housing, defined in the bill as "affordable housing applicants." Landlords may, however, perform soft credit inquiries on affordable housing applicants. Hard credit inquiries can lower an individual's credit score while soft inquiries are conducted with consent of the applicant, and are meant to have no impact on one's credit score. Landlords who violate the provisions of the bill would be subject to a penalty of not more than $100 for the first offense in a one-year period, and up to $200 more for subsequent offenses in a one-year period. This bill also requires a consumer reporting agency that receives multiple hard credit inquiries, concerning the same individual, for the purpose of rental housing applications over a one-month period, to consider those inquiries to be one hard inquiry for purposes a consumer report concerning the individual. This bill requires the Director of the Division of Housing and Community Resources in the Department of Community Affairs, within six months of the bill's enactment, to make information available on its Internet website concerning certain requirements of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4991 | Establishes rock quarry blasting liability and insurance requirements, dedicated and revolving compensation fund, and tax-based funding mechanism, to facilitate reimbursement of costs expended, by eligible individuals, in remediating certain blasting-related damages. | This bill would establish explosive blasting-related liability and insurance requirements for the owners and operators of rock quarries, as well as a dedicated, revolving fund and tax-based funding mechanism, to enable residential property owners and residents to seek and obtain appropriate compensation for residential property damages and other related damages (defined as "compensable damages" under the bill), which have proximately resulted from blasting operations or activities undertaken at a nearby rock quarry. In order to provide enhanced public transparency in association with rock quarry blasting operations and activities undertaken in the State, and in order to ensure and facilitate the timely and accurate identification and documentation of compensable damages proximately resulting therefrom, the bill would require the owner or operator of each rock quarry, which is being excavated in this State through the use of blasting techniques and methods, to: 1) provide for appropriate staff employed, or third-parties contracted, thereby to independently conduct separate pre-blasting and post-blasting residential property and natural resource blast impact assessments, both immediately before and immediately after each blasting operation or activity undertaken at the quarry, in order to monitor and document the condition of residential properties and natural resources located within the blast impact zone and identify damages, to such properties and resources, which have proximately resulted from each such blasting operation or activity; 2) provide advanced public and municipal notice of each blasting operation or activity to be undertaken at the rock quarry, at least two weeks prior to the commencement thereof, through use of all of the following means and methods: the prominent online posting of blasting notice on the department's Internet website; the delivery, by certified mail or other verified means, of written blasting notice to the governing body of each municipality that is fully or partially situated within the relevant blast impact zone; the prominent posting of relevant and readily identifiable blasting notice signs and signage, on residential streets and street corners and at other prominent or centralized locations in residential neighborhoods lying within the relevant blast impact zone; and the publication of blasting notice in at least one newspaper of general circulation covering each municipality that is fully or partially situated within the blast impact zone; 3) within 30 days after the conclusion of each post-blast impact assessment conducted under the bill, deliver to each residential property address falling within the blast impact zone, by certified mail, a written blast impact and damage assessment notice that identifies the damages, if any, to such residential property and to any assessed natural resources in the blast impact zone, which have been identified during the course of the pre-blast and post-blast impact assessments conducted pursuant to the bill, and which sets forth the assessor's independent findings as to whether, and the extent to which, such damages have proximately resulted from blasting operations or activities undertaken at the quarry; 4) develop and submit, to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in a form and manner, and on an annual or other regular basis, as prescribed thereby, a written blast impact and insurance coverage report: describing the processes, procedures, and standards used, by relevant rock quarry employees or third-party contractors, in conducting the pre-blast and post-blast impact assessments required by the bill; identifying and categorizing, by location, type, and severity, the residential property damages, natural resource damages, and other related damages, discovered through such blast impact assessments or otherwise, which are or may be deemed to be compensable under the bill; indicating whether, and the extent to which eligible claimants may seek and obtain reimbursement, through an insurance policy or a self-insurance fund maintained by the rock quarry owner or operator, in accordance with the bill's provisions, for the eligible compensable damage costs incurred by such claimants as a proximate result of blasting operations or activities undertaken at the quarry; and identifying the total number and dollar amount of insurance claims submitted and paid-out, during the reporting period, under the terms of such insurance policy, or through such self-insurance fund; and 5) provide other public disclosures relevant to the blasting operations and activities being undertaken at the rock quarry and the blast impact assessments being undertaken pursuant to the bill, as directed by the DEP. Each blast impact and insurance coverage report, submitted under the bill, would be posted at a publicly accessible location on the DEP's Internet website, and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection would be required to provide an electronic means by which members of the public can search for and locate relevant blast impact and insurance coverage reports and other blasting-related information appearing on the website, by county or municipality. The bill would provide for the Department of Banking and Insurance, working in cooperation and consultation with the DEP and licensed insurance carriers operating in the State, to provide for the development and initial issuance, or for the modification and reissuance, as appropriate, of new or existing insurance policies providing coverage sufficient to enable eligible claimants to recover, without threat of exorbitant insurance premium increases or policy cancellation, and to require rock quarry owners or operators to pay, the costs incurred by such claimants for residential property damages and other compensable damages, as set forth in the bill, proximately resulting from rock quarry blasting operations or activities. The bill would require the owner or operator of a rock quarry to deposit, on a monthly basis, in an interest-bearing account with an accredited financial institution, an amount equal to $1.00 per ton (or the equivalent, as determined by the Division of Taxation) of all rock and other material excavated from the quarry during the preceding month. Such interest-bearing account would be deemed to constitute an escrow account for blasting-related insurance claims coverage, and the moneys deposited therein are to be dedicated and used only in order to enable the rock quarry owner or operator: 1) to purchase, from a licensed insurance carrier, general liability insurance that includes coverage for damages proximately resulting from blasting operations or activities; or 2) as authorized or directed by the DEP, to establish and maintain a self-insurance fund sufficient to ensure the rock quarry's ability to satisfy its known and anticipated compensable damage insurance claims obligations in association with blasting operations and activities undertaken at the quarry. The bill would additionally provide for the Director of the Division of Taxation, in the Department of the Treasury, to levy a tax, to be paid by the owner or operator of each rock quarry, on all rock and other materials excavated from each rock quarry. The bill would require a quarry owner or operator to file a tax return, at the close of each tax period, indicating the total amount of materials excavated from the quarry during the tax period, and paying the full amount of the tax due. Every owner or operator of a rock quarry in the State would be required to register with the director, for such purposes, within 20 days after the date on which rock or other material is first excavated from the quarry following the bill's effective date. Any taxpayer who fails to file a tax return, or who fails to pay the requisite tax, when due, as provided by the bill, would be subject to appropriate tax penalties and interest, as provided by the State Tax Uniform Procedure Law, R.S.54:48-1 et seq. Any rock quarry owner or operator who fails to comply with the public transparency or insurance coverage requirements, established by the bill, would be subject to a penalty of $100 to $5,000 for the first offense, $300 to $10,000 for the second offense, and $500 to $20,000 for the third or subsequent offense, which penalty is to be collected, by the DEP, in a summary proceeding, and deposited into the Rock Quarry Blasting Contingency Fund - a nonlapsing revolving fund to be established under the bill and administered by the DEP - for the fund's dedicated use and purposes. The bill would further specify that every owner and operator of a rock quarry is to be deemed jointly and severally liable for the payment of any penalty that is imposed, under the bill, against any single such owner or operator; and that any offense committed by a rock quarry employee or third-party contractor will be deemed to constitute an offense committed by the quarry owner or operator, for which all such owners and operators are jointly and severally liable. Under the bill's provisions, all moneys in the Rock Quarry Blasting Contingency Fund are to be dedicated and used for the reimbursement of eligible and uninsured costs incurred by eligible claimants in association with the repair, restoration, or remediation of residential property damages or other compensable damages, as set forth in the bill, which have proximately resulted from rock quarry blasting operations or activities. Any person seeking reimbursement from the fund would be required to submit an application therefor within one year after the discovery of damages for which compensation is due. The commissioner would further be required to develop and institute a streamlined and accessible process to promote and facilitate timeliness and accuracy in association with the reporting of compensable damage claims, the submission of applications for reimbursement from the fund, and the issuance of appropriate compensable damage awards from the fund. This process would be required to provide, at a minimum, for the use of mediation, arbitration, and other appropriate non-adversarial means and methods to facilitate and ensure the extrajudicial resolution of disputes arising in association with compensable damage claims submitted through the fund. In any case where the total amount of compensation to be awarded from the fund, in any year, exceeds the remaining balance of moneys in the fund, the bill would provide for individual compensation awards to be awarded on a pro-rated basis until paid in full. The bill would further require each individual compensation award to be reduced by the total amount of compensable damages, as reported by the claimant, for which reimbursement is already authorized by, or has been provided under, an insurance policy or a self-insurance fund maintained under the bill, less any amount of money that is owed or paid by the claimant for insurance deductible purposes. | In Committee |
| A4987 | Establishes protections for immigrants interacting with government agencies; designates "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act." | This bill creates a uniform code for State and local government entities, as well as health care facilities, regarding the use of resources to aid federal immigration law enforcement, and designates the "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act." Under the bill, the definition of government entities includes any of the principal departments of the executive branch of State government and any parts or creations thereof, any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality or agency, including any public institution of higher education. The bill's definition also includes political subdivisions of the State and combinations of political subdivisions, independent authorities, commissions, instrumentalities and agencies created by a political subdivision or combination of political subdivisions. Under the bill, government entities and healthcare facilities are prohibited from collecting certain personal and identifying information unless it is strictly necessary for program or service administration. Any record resulting from that collection, whether written or oral, would not be a government record under the "Open Public Records Act" unless an election agency requires it to ascertain the eligibility of a candidate when citizenship is required for an elected office. Any record also shall not be disclosed except as required to administer benefits or services pursuant to State or federal law, or valid court order or warrant, issued by a federal Article III judge or magistrate or the State equivalent. The bill provides that the prohibition on sharing information may be waived if the subject of the record or information provides written consent in that person's preferred language. The written consent shall include the following: (1) the exact record or information to be shared; (2) the purpose for sharing the record or information; (3) a statement clarifying that consent is voluntary and declining to consent shall not result in discrimination or retaliation by the government entity; (4) a statement clarifying that consent may be revoked, but that revocation does not impact a record or information already shared via prior written consent provided pursuant to this section; and (5) the person or agency to receive the record or information. The bill requires government entities to review their confidentiality policies, guidance and recommendations to identify any changes necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the bill and make any changes as expeditiously as possible, but no later than one year after the bill becomes effective. The bill also requires these entities to share their policies prominently on their Internet websites. This bill also requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Public Defender, to prepare a written notice explaining in plain language the provisions of section 6 of the bill. Section 6 of the bill details the prohibition of certain actions by law enforcement. The bill requires the notice and all translations to be posted to the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety and to be considered vital documents pursuant to P.L.2023, c.263 (C.52:14-40 et seq.). The Attorney General is also required to consult with stakeholders serving or representing immigrant communities in the development of standardized training and guidance for law enforcement to comply with the bill's provisions. The AG also shall provide mandatory training to all State, county and local law enforcement agencies within one year of the bill's effective date. Any newly sworn officer is required to complete this training within a year of the officer's appointment. The Department of Human Services is required to consult with stakeholders serving or representing immigrant communities to develop and lead a multilingual campaign to promote public awareness of the bill's requirements for law enforcement agencies. As part of the awareness campaign, DHS is required to publish the text of section 6 of the bill's provisions and a plain language summary and explanation of those requirements on its Internet website within 180 days of the bill's enactment. Under the bill, the Attorney General is also required to consult with other government entities and stakeholders in the development of model policies for sensitive locations. These locations include health care facilities, public schools, public libraries, shelters, and any other locations deemed appropriate by the Attorney General to ensure that eligible individuals are not deterred from seeking services or engaging with government entities. The model policies prohibit the request or collection of certain information regarding a person's immigration status, place of birth or taxpayer identification except to determine eligibility for services or program benefits. The model policies prohibit assistance or participation of immigration enforcement, and prohibit the permission of immigration enforcement on entity premises that are not open without restriction to the general public. The Attorney General is required to publish the model policies on the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill requires government entities with authority to regulate sensitive places to adopt the model policies within 180 days of issuance by the Attorney General's office and encourages facilities not regulated by government entities to adopt the policies. The bill prohibits certain actions by law enforcement. Specifically, State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officials shall not: (1) stop, question, arrest, search, or detain any individual based on actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status, or actual or suspected violations of federal civil immigration law; (2) inquire about an individual's immigration status, citizenship, place of birth, or eligibility for a social security number; (3) make an arrest, detain, or prolong the detention of an individual based on civil immigration warrants; (4) use agency or department moneys, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, citizenship, or national or ethnic origin; or (5) make agency or department databases available to anyone or any entity for the purpose of immigration enforcement or investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, citizenship, or national or ethnic origin. The bill nullifies any agreement, policy or practice in place that is in conflict with this clause. Law enforcement agencies in the State are also prohibited from: (1) participating in civil immigration enforcement operations; (2) providing to federal immigration authorities any information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular person; (3) providing access to any State, county, or municipal law enforcement equipment, office space, database, or property; (4) providing access to a detained individual for an interview; (5) facilitating or complying with immigration detainers, notification requests, and transfer requests from federal immigration authorities; (6) continuing to detain a person past the time the person would otherwise be eligible for release from custody based solely on an immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant; (7) entering into, modifying, renewing, or extending any agreement to exercise federal immigration authority or conduct immigration enforcement pursuant to section 287(g) of Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §1357(g), or otherwise exercising federal civil immigration authority or conducting immigration enforcement outside of the purview of 287(g) of Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §1357(g); or (8) providing or sharing funds, property, equipment, personnel, or access to facilities or real property not open to the general public for purposes of engaging in, assisting, supporting, or facilitating immigration enforcement. The bill provides that violations of the prohibitions on police conduct in the bill would be enforceable under the "New Jersey Civil Rights Act," P.L.2004, c.143. If an agency or law enforcement official intends to comply with an immigration detainer, notification request, civil immigration warrant, or transfer request concerning a person in custody, a written explanation specifying the legal basis for that action is required to be given to the person is custody. Lastly, the bill requires each State, county, and municipal law enforcement agency to submit to the Attorney General a report that includes: (1) the number of detainer requests, transfer requests, and notification requests made by immigration authorities, and the responses of the State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency. For any request that was granted, the report shall specify any legal basis for granting that request; (2) the number of interviews requested and the number of interviews conducted, either in person or telephonically, by immigration authorities of people in State, county, or municipal law enforcement custody. For each interview conducted, the report shall specify any legal basis for granting the interview; (3) any other requests made by immigration authorities for the agency's participation in immigration enforcement, the responses of the State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, and the legal basis for granting the request; and (4) to the extent the law enforcement agency has knowledge, any information about State, county, and municipal databases to which immigration authorities have had access to at any time in the course of the year, including: the name of the database; an overview of information available on the database; the purpose for which immigration authorities have access to this database; the process through which immigration authorities requested access and agencies reviewed this request, if applicable; any legal basis for providing immigration authorities access to the database; and the frequency with which immigration authorities accessed the database over the course of the year. Law enforcement agencies have 180 days after the effective date of the bill to produce the first report and must then annually submit a report within 30 days of the end of the State's fiscal year. The Attorney General is initially required to publish the report on the office's website within 90 days of receipt, and then within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year thereafter. The Attorney General is also required to annually submit to the Governor and Legislature a report on each law enforcement agency's compliance with the provisions of this act. | In Committee |
| A4027 | Requires health insurance coverage of preimplantation genetic testing with in vitro fertilization under certain conditions. | Requires health insurance coverage of preimplantation genetic testing with in vitro fertilization under certain conditions. | In Committee |
| A3859 | Requires rental car company to provide notice to renter to delete personal information from motor vehicle computer system upon return of vehicle. | Requires rental car company to provide notice to renter to delete personal information from motor vehicle computer system upon return of vehicle. | In Committee |
| A4126 | Revises law requiring school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers to review employment history of prospective employee for allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. | This bill makes changes to the current law requiring school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers to review the employment history of certain applicants and any allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct made against those applicants. Current law requires the Department of Education to develop forms for applicants and employers that may be used to comply with requirements concerning the review of an applicant's employment history. This bill requires the department's Office of Student Protection to develop the forms and requires that the forms be used in complying with the employment history requirements. Current law also requires applicants to positions involving regular contact with students at school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers to provide a list of certain former employers of the applicant within the last 20 years. The bill removes the 20-year limit. Under current law, an applicant who gives false information or willfully fails to disclose information required to be provided under the law may be subject to certain civil penalties up to $500. The bill increases the maximum civil penalty amount to $10,000. The bill further requires the Commissioner of Education to create and maintain a secure and centralized school employee identification database. The purpose of the database is to provide school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers with ready access to any information that may disqualify an individual from being hired by, or continuing employment with, a school district, charter school, nonpublic school, or contracted service provider. The bill requires specific categories of information to be included in the database. The bill directs the commissioner to establish policies and procedures to provide secure access to the database. The commissioner is directed to establish policies and procedures to ensure the accuracy of the information in the database. The bill also directs each school district, charter school, nonpublic school, or contracted service provider to request that the Department of Children and Families conduct a child abuse record information check of its child abuse records to determine if an incident of child abuse or neglect has been substantiated against any applicant to a position involving regular contact with students at the school district, charter school, nonpublic school, or contracted service provider and includes provisions pertaining to how those records are to be secured and used. The bill requires the State Board of Examiners to submit to the commissioner notice of any pending review that may result in the revocation or suspension of an administrative or instructional certificate. This bill also requires the commissioner to audit the hiring records of a school district, charter school, nonpublic school, or contracted service provider holding a contract with a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school to ensure compliance with the provisions of law. The audit is to occur every five years, pursuant to a schedule established by the commissioner. The bill authorizes the commissioner to conduct random audits. Additionally, the bill permits the commissioner to contract with a qualified third party to conduct the audits. Under the bill, if the commissioner determines the hiring practices do not comply with the law, but the noncompliance does not pose an immediate threat to the safety or wellbeing of students or staff of the school, then the commissioner is to issue recommendations for compliance with the law to the school district, charter school, nonpublic school, or contracted service provider holding a contract with a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school. The commissioner is also authorized under the bill to provide direct oversight of the hiring practices of a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school if the commissioner determines through an audit that the hiring practices fail to comply with the provisions of the law, and the noncompliance is determined by the commissioner to: (1) be the result of willful misconduct or gross negligence; (2) pose an immediate threat to the safety or wellbeing of students or staff of the school; or (3) constitute a failure to implement the recommendations issued by the commissioner as a result of a previous audit. This bill requires the department to establish procedures for the prompt investigation of allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct by a school employee. The procedures are to require certain components as specified in the bill. The bill requires school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to utilize the procedures established by the bill for any investigation regarding an allegation by a school employee. The bill further prohibits school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools from entering into contracts with contracted services providers unless the provider attests that it utilizes comparable investigation procedures as established by the bill. The department is also required to establish guidelines to assist school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools in implementing the investigation procedures and for determining when to refer an allegation of child abuse or sexual misconduct to law enforcement. The bill permits a board of education, board of trustees of a charter school, or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school to enter into a memorandum of agreement with law enforcement regarding allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct by school employees and the procedures and responsibilities of designated employees in conducting investigations. Finally, the bill requires the commissioner to issue a report to the Governor and the Legislature every five years on implementation the law. This bill implements certain recommendations of the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation's March 2024 report, "Safeguarding New Jersey Students from Sexual Predators and Child Abuse at School - Examining the State's 'Pass the Trash' Law." | In Committee |
| A4936 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on artificial intelligence; requires Secretary of Higher Education to develop artificial intelligence model curricula. | This bill requires instruction on artificial intelligence. Under the bill, school districts are required to incorporate instruction on artificial intelligence in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Computer Science and Design Thinking. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement the artificial intelligence curriculum requirement. Additionally, the bill requires each public institution of higher education to offer certificate and degree programs in artificial intelligence. The bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, the Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the New Jersey Presidents' Council, and the Chief Innovation Officer for the State, to develop an artificial intelligence model curriculum for use by public four-year institutions of higher education in the State and an artificial intelligence model curriculum for use by county colleges in the State. The model curricula developed is to be made available to assist public four-year institutions of higher education and county colleges in implementing the certificate and degree programs requirement established in the bill. Under the bill, the artificial intelligence model curricula is to account for academic quality and other applicable standards required for accreditation of artificial intelligence-related degree programs. Additionally, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Economic Development Authority, in consultation with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the New Jersey Presidents' Council and the Chief Innovation Officer for the State, is required to develop and distribute to public institutions of higher education artificial intelligence career pathway marketing materials that provide descriptions of artificial intelligence careers and the benefits of pursuing those careers. | In Committee |
| A4945 | Requires access to certain assistive services for students with disabilities at public institutions of higher education. | This bill requires an institution of higher education to provide a student with a disability access to assistive services during class for purposes of recording course material, including note-taking software or a scribe, provided that use of any recording is limited for personal use. Under the bill, course material does not include any test or graded assignment completed during class time. | In Committee |
| A4639 | Requires boards of education to adopt policy on use of video surveillance systems with artificial intelligence capabilities. | Requires boards of education to adopt policy on use of surveillance systems with artificial intelligence capabilities. | In Committee |
| A4901 | Establishes Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education. | This bill establishes the Commission on the Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education within the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. Under the bill, the commission would examine and report on the structure of public higher education and recommend ways to improve financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of the public institutions of higher education in the State. The commission would consist of 12 members. The members would include: the Secretary of Higher Education, or a designee, serving ex officio; the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, or a designee, serving ex officio; two members appointed by the Governor, including the president of a State college or university, or a designee, and the president of a public research university, or a designee; the following four members appointed by legislative leadership including: the president of a county college, or a designee, appointed by the Senate President; the president of a county college, or a designee, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; a member representing a public-sector higher education labor union, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; a full time faculty member employed by a public institution of higher education, appointed by the Assembly Minority Leader; one member with expertise, knowledge, or experience in the fiscal management of institutions of higher education, appointed by the Governor; one student representative from a public research university; one student representative from the State colleges or universities; and one student representative from the county colleges. The student representatives would be appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Higher Education through an application process. The purpose of this commission is to bring together management of public institutions of higher education, students, faculty, staff, and union leadership to make recommendations on higher education, with a special emphasis on financial transparency, accountability, and oversight. The commission is responsible for examining issues related to the financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of public institutions of higher education. The commission would meet a minimum of three times. This bill requires the commission to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature outlining the commission's recommendations to improve the structure of higher education in the State. The commission would issue the report to the Governor and the Legislature within 180 days after the commission organizes. The commission, and its enabling legislation, would expire 30 days after the issuance of its report to the Governor and the Legislature. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4916 | Prohibits use and sale of algorithmic devices for setting rent price or occupancy of residential dwelling units. | This bill prohibits the use and sale of algorithmic devices for setting rent price or occupancy of residential dwelling units. In recent years, a number of new software programs, often referred to as "algorithmic devices," have threatened to destabilize rental housing markets in cities nationwide, including in New Jersey. These programs enable landlords to indirectly coordinate with one another through the sharing of non-public competitively sensitive data in order to artificially inflate rents and vacancy rates for rental housing. Participating landlords provide vast amounts of proprietary data to the programs, which in turn set or provide recommendations for rent and occupancy rates. More and more landlords in the United States now pool their data and pricing decisions using such software. This software has contributed to double-digit rent increases, higher vacancy rates, and higher rates of eviction, and has distorted markets so that rents and vacancy rates have increased in tandem. Often used by large corporate landlords, the software fuels the consolidation of corporate and private equity ownership of rental housing, at the expense of landlords large and small who compete in the market without use of this software. Landlords using these tools are not appropriately engaging in the market and the companies developing and selling these tools to landlords are contributing to these problems. Numerous antitrust lawsuits have been filed against certain of these companies, including RealPage, Inc. and Yardi Systems, Inc. The lawsuits allege that these companies are enabling and participating in a scheme of unlawful price fixing. These include lawsuits filed by the District of Columbia Attorney General and the Arizona Attorney General and more than 20 federal private class action lawsuits nationwide that have been consolidated in the federal court in the Middle District of Tennessee. This bill does not restrict the development, sale, or use of software to help landlords manage units based on internal data or with use of publically available data. Nor does it regulate the amount of rent that a landlord may charge. This bill prohibits the sale, license, and use of an algorithmic device that sets, recommends, or advises on rents or occupancy rates that may be achieved for residential dwelling units in the State. The bill provides that the Attorney General may file a civil action for a violation for damages, injunctive relief, restitution or return of illegal profits, civil penalties of up to $1000 per violation, or some combination. A court is required to award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the Attorney General if the Attorney General is the prevailing party in such a civil action. The bill defines "algorithmic devices" and "non-public competitor data" for the purposes of the "New Jersey Antitrust Act." | In Committee |
| A4894 | Establishes suspension of collection of motor vehicle surcharges for certain incarcerated persons. | This bill would provide for a suspension of the collection of motor vehicle surcharges for certain persons while incarcerated. Under current law, motor vehicle surcharges are levied on a driver who: in the preceding 36-month period, has accumulated six or more motor vehicle points; is issued a citation for unsafe driving; or is issued a citation for driving while intoxicated or refusal to submit to a breath test. The surcharges are required to be levied annually for a three-year period and a driver is required to pay the surcharge amount owed within 36 months. This bill provides that in the case of a driver incarcerated for any period exceeding 90 days during the three-year period in which a motor vehicle surcharge is levied, the Motor Vehicle Commission is required to suspend collection of the surcharge while the driver is incarcerated and for at least 90 days following the driver's release from incarceration. Under the bill, the driver still would be afforded the same 36 months to make payment of the surcharge to the commission as other drivers, but the months during which the surcharge collection is suspended would not count toward the 36-month time limit. | In Committee |
| A4855 | Concerns policies governing student use of cell phones and social media platforms in schools. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media and requires a board of education to adopt a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media. Under the bill, the commissioner is to develop a policy applicable to students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms during regular school hours, on a school bus, or during school-sanctioned events when the student is under the direct supervision of a teaching staff member or employee of the board of education. The policy is to, at a minimum, (1) provide age appropriate and grade-level differentiated policies concerning limiting and prohibiting student use of cell phones and social media platforms; (2) be consistent with State and federal law including accommodations provided in a student's Individualized Education Program or educational plan; (3) permit student use of cell phones in the case of an emergency or in response to a perceived threat of danger; (4) permit student use of cell phones upon submission by a parent or guardian of documentation from a health care professional indicating that the use of a cell phone is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; (5) address smartphones, cell phones with only text or voice, and other relevant devices, including smart watches; (6) list options that may be utilized by a school district for cell phone storage, including locked pouches and cell phone lockers; (7) provide guidance for a school district to establish network-based restrictions to prevent the use of, or access to, social media platforms; and (8) detail protocols for communicating the district's policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms to students, their families, and teaching staff members. The bill also requires each board of education to adopt a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms during regular school hours, on a school bus, or during school-sanctioned events when the student is under the direct supervision of a teaching staff member or employee of the board of education. The policy is to be consistent with the policy developed by the commissioner. Additionally, the bill permits the commissioner to grant an exemption to a board of education for the requirement to adopt the policy upon submission of an application by the board. | In Committee |
| A4856 | Establishes pilot program in DOE to use lockable cell phone pouches in certain public schools; appropriates $500,000. | This bill establishes a one-year pilot program in DOE to assess the academic and mental health benefits associated with the use of lockable cell phone pouches in grades six through 12. Under the bill, a school district that wishes to participate in the pilot program is required to submit an application to the commissioner that is to include: (1) the number of middle schools and high schools in the district; (2) the number of students enrolled in each middle school and high school in the district; and (3) a proposal outlining the district's program implementation plan, including the number of schools in which the district will use the lockable cell phone pouches and the method by which the district will notify the parent or guardian of a student in the event of an emergency. The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to select two districts in each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State to participate in the pilot program and to seek a cross section of school districts from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State. The bill permits the commissioner to select a school district that is currently implementing a program that utilizes lockable cell phone pouches in schools of the district to participate in the pilot program, provided the district is not receiving any other grant to support the use of lockable cell phone pouches in schools. Under the bill, the commissioner is to provide pilot districts with guidance regarding the use of lockable cell phone pouches in schools, including training on how the lockable cell phone pouches work. The bill directs the commissioner to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature no later than 120 days following the conclusion of the pilot program that evaluates the effectiveness of the pilot program in improving academic success and mental health outcomes of students in middle school and high school and provides recommendations as to continued use of lockable cell phone pouches in schools Finally, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| AJR197 | Designates May of each year as Haitian Heritage Month. | This joint resolution designates May of each year as Haitian Heritage Month. Haitian Heritage Month, recognized globally during the month of May, celebrates the rich culture of Haiti and its people, including their history, language, distinctive art, and cuisine. The purpose of Haitian Heritage Month is to raise awareness and understanding about Haitian culture, history, and traditions by educating the public about the historical global contributions Haitian people have made and to celebrate these Haitian achievements worldwide. Haiti's history is of vital significance and pride for its people and has crucial global importance, representing a new concept of human rights, universal citizenship, and participation in government through the Haitian Revolution, which occurred from 1791 to 1804. The Haitian Revolution is one of the largest and the first successful slave rebellions in the Western Hemisphere. Haitian Heritage Month is an expansion of Haitian Flag Day, a national Haitian Holiday celebrated annually on May 18th, serving as a major patriotic celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora to encourage patriotism. Haitian Flag Day serves as a reminder of the struggle to freedom and the Haitian Flag symbolizes the unity that borne the Haitian nation through the alliance of the Blacks and mulattoes during the Revolutionary war. Haitian American immigrants have come to the United States bringing their own influences and cultural traditions to a variety of spheres including the arts, business, sports, literature, science, and law. Today, New Jersey has the fourth largest Haitian-American population in the United States, with nearly 69,000 Haitian-American residents. For decades, Haiti has faced significant challenges, including natural disasters that have devastated the land and disrupted the lives of millions. However, the Haitian people have demonstrated resilience throughout history. It is time to officially recognize the Haitian people and all of their achievements. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A929 | Requires public institution of higher education to provide academic credit for certain examinations. | This bill requires public institutions of higher education to provide academic credit to students who receive a score of three or above on an advanced placement examination or a score of 50 or above on a college-level examination program learning assessment. Under the bill, to receive the academic credit, a student is required to be pursuing an associate or baccalaureate degree, and while in grades 9 through 12, has completed either the applicable advanced placement course and advanced placement examination or the applicable college-level examination program learning assessment while enrolled in grades 9 through 12. Additionally, the bill requires each institution to post the institution's policies and procedures for awarding academic credit for advanced placement examinations and college-level examination program learning assessments on its website and submit the policies and procedures to the Secretary of Higher Education. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education is subsequently required to post each institution's policies and procedures on the office's website. The bill also requires each institution to report any proposed change to the policies and procedures to the Secretary of Higher Education no less than 60 days before the change takes effect. Finally, the bill permits the secretary to provide an institution with an exemption to the academic credit requirements established under the bill on an individual course basis provided that the institution submits data that a required score differing from the academic credit requirements established under the bill are necessary for a student to be successful in a related or more advanced course. | In Committee |
| A4648 | Provides for State agencies to issue advanced payments to certified business enterprises awarded State contracts. | The purpose of this bill is to assist certified business enterprises that wish to bid on public contracts or work as subcontractors, but lack the capital to initiate the work required for such contracts. This bill allows a State agency responsible for awarding any public contract for construction, goods and services, or professional services to issue an advanced payment of up to 10 percent of the total value of the contract, if the business being awarded the contract is a certified business enterprise in this State. The bill also requires that the contractor share this advanced payment with its subcontractors, if a subcontractor is also a certified business enterprise. The subcontractor will receive an amount equal to the proportion of the value of the contract for which they are responsible, and the contractor is required to provide this amount to the subcontractor within 60 days of the contractor receiving an advanced payment. Under the terms of the bill, any contractor or subcontractor that does not begin or complete the work for which the advanced payments were issued and received will be liable for repayment of such amounts. The Division of Revenue Business Certification Program in the Department of the Treasury issues certifications to enterprises that are small businesses, LGBTQ+ businesses, minority and women-owned businesses, veteran and disabled veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. | 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 |
| A4530 | Allows sentencing to extended term for repeat convictions of receipt of stolen property. | This bill provides that a person may be sentenced to an extended term of imprisonment for repeat convictions of receiving stolen property. Under the bill, a person is a persistent offender if the person has previously been convicted on two or more prior and separate occasions of receiving stolen property in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:20-7, regardless of the dates of the convictions. A persistent offender may be sentenced to an extended term, upon motion of the prosecutor, if the prior conviction is for a crime committed on a separate occasion and the crime for which the person is being sentenced was either: (1) within 10 years of the date of the defendant's last release from confinement for the commission of any crime; or (2) within 10 years of the date of the commission of the most recent violation of N.J.S.2C:20-7 for which the defendant has a prior conviction. | Crossed Over |
| A4579 | Requires DOH to establish Regional Hospital System Program for Emergency Preparedness and to annually survey preparedness and resiliency of State's hospital system in event of public emergency. | This bill requires the Department of Health (department) to establish a Regional Hospital System Program for Emergency Preparedness and to annually survey the preparedness and resiliency of State's hospital system in event of a public emergency. As defined under the bill, "public emergency" means an environmental, public health, or public safety emergency that is occurring in New Jersey or in one or more counties, regions, or other parts of the State, and which is officially recognized and declared as an emergency by the Governor of New Jersey or by the President of the United States. Under the Regional Hospital System Program for Emergency Preparedness, the department is required to: assign each hospital licensed in the State and each local health department located within the State to a regional coalition and appoint one hospital in each coalition as the regional coordinator for the group; establish criteria that the department will utilize to assess each regional coalition's emergency preparedness plan, as required to be submitted under bill; review and approve all emergency preparedness plans; coordinate with and support any regional coalition in order to resolve or revise an emergency preparedness plan that does not receive the department's approval; develop and implement systems for data and information sharing between and within regional coalitions both during and outside of a public emergency; and create a system under which department, hospital, or local health department leaders can be redeployed throughout the State to meet the needs of a public emergency. Within 12 months of the department establishing the assessment criteria for the regional coalitions' emergency preparedness plans, and annually thereafter, each regional coalition, under the leadership of the regional coordinator, is required to submit an emergency preparedness plan to the department. The plans, at a minimum, are to address response coordination, medical readiness, medical surge capacity, equipment and staffing shortages, and continuity of health care services in the event of a public emergency. Upon the submission of an emergency preparedness plan by each regional coalition in the State, and annually thereafter, the department, in collaboration with the regional coalitions, healthcare sector stakeholders, and all relevant State agencies and entities as needed, is required to survey the preparedness and resiliency of the State's hospital system in the event of a public emergency. The survey, at a minimum, is to include a review of any emergency response plan in place at a hospital licensed in the State, as well as any emergency preparedness plan submitted under the bill. The bill directs the department to establish a grant program that provides funding and technical assistance to hospitals identified in the survey that are deficient in emergency preparedness, as determined by the department. | In Committee |
| A4048 | Requires upcoming Educational Adequacy Report to include comprehensive review of certain components of school funding in consultation with certain stakeholders and experts. | This bill requires the upcoming Educational Adequacy Report to be developed in consultation with certain education stakeholders and school finance experts. Under current law, an Educational Adequacy Report is required to be issued every three years by the Governor, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education. The purpose of the report is to update the various parameters used to calculate State aid to school districts, including the base per pupil amount, various grade level and student characteristic weights, preschool education per pupil amounts, security and transportation aid cost coefficients, excess cost and classification rate assumption for census-based special education funding, and extraordinary special education aid thresholds. The requirements established under the bill would apply to the next upcoming Educational Adequacy Report that is to be issued by September 1, 2025. Specifically, the bill requires the Governor, in consultation with the commissioner, to engage a diverse group of stakeholders, including school administrators, staff, students, parents, and other community members, to identify the necessary school resources and student supports that are not adequately funded through the State school funding formula. In addition, the bill requires the Governor and the commissioner to commission various school finance experts to recommend revisions to the methodologies used for the determination of various cost factors that are required to be updated under the Educational Adequacy Report. | Crossed Over |
| A4752 | Prohibits gender-based price discrimination. | This bill prohibits businesses in New Jersey from engaging in gender-based priced discrimination. Commonly referred to as the "pink tax" or "gender tax," gender-based discrimination occurs when products and services marketed and intended for use by girls and women are priced higher than comparable products and services for boys and men. The bill provides that a business in the State is prohibited from: (1) discriminating based on gender with regard to the price charged for a service offered by the business; and (2) charging prices for any two consumer products from the same manufacturer that are substantially similar, if those products are priced differently solely based on the gender of the individuals for whom the products are intended or marketed. For the purposes of the bill, two products would be considered "substantially similar" if there are no significant differences in the materials used in the products, the function of the products, and the functional design or features of the products. A difference in color or packaging among consumer products would not, by itself, be construed as a substantial difference. The bill specifies that its provisions would not be construed to prohibit price differences based upon labor, materials, tariffs, or any other gender-neutral reason, including when a retail establishment passes through a price to the consumer that is set by a manufacturer, distributor, or other entity that is beyond the retailer's control. Under the bill, the following businesses would be required to clearly and conspicuously disclose to the customer in writing the pricing for each standard service provided: (1) tailors or other businesses providing aftermarket clothing alterations; (2) barbers or hair salons; and (3) dry cleaners and laundries providing services to individuals. The bill requires the pricing to be posted in an area conspicuous to customers. Posted price lists are required to be in no less than 14-point boldface type and clearly and completely display pricing for every standard service offered by the business. Additionally, business are required to provide a customer with a complete written price list upon request. The bill further requires businesses to display in a conspicuous place at least one clearly visible sign, printed in no less than 24-point boldface type, notifying customers that gender-based price discrimination is prohibited under New Jersey law. A violation of the bill's provisions is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.). 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. | In Committee |
| A3508 | Requires child abuse reporting hotline maintained by DCPP to provide information on resources available to victims and families. | This bill requires that the child abuse reporting hotline maintained by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) provide information on resources available to the victims of child abuse or neglect and their families. DCPP regularly contracts with community-based agencies throughout the State to provide a variety of services to children and families, including counseling, parenting skills classes, substance abuse treatment, in-home services, foster care, and residential placement. It is critical for families to be made aware of these services so that they are empowered to break the cycle of abuse and protect the most vulnerable residents of New Jersey. | Crossed Over |
| A4820 | Prohibits wholesale dealers from price gouging sale of physical goods. | This bill prohibits wholesale dealers from unconscionably raising the sale price of physical goods in a manner that is not justified by inflation, abnormal market disruptions, or natural fluctuations in supply and demand. This practice, often known as and defined in the bill as "price gouging," is harmful to small businesses. A violation of the bill's provisions is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, violations may result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. It is the intent of the sponsor to prohibit "price gouging" to protect small businesses from being sold physical goods at an unfair price by wholesale dealers. | In Committee |
| AR153 | Urges Congress to deschedule marijuana as Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal "Controlled Substances Act." | This resolution urges the federal government to change marijuana's classification in the "Controlled Substances Act." Marijuana's current Schedule I classification is at odds with current research and public opinion on its use. Marijuana has several accepted medical uses throughout the United States, having been recommended by thousands of licensed physicians to at least 350,000 patients in states where medical marijuana is legalized. The New Jersey Legislature recognized the value of medical marijuana by passing the "Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act." Due to marijuana's Schedule I classification, owners and operators of dispensaries in New Jersey are susceptible to both being charged with federal crimes and being victims of theft. This lack of safety for dispensary staff and consumers not only poses a dangerous threat the viability of the marijuana industry in New Jersey but also the physical health and safety of New Jersey residents. Therefore, in order to protect the rights and interest of New Jersey residents and medical marijuana patients, marijuana should no longer be classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. | In Committee |
| A4697 | Requires local recreation departments, youth serving organizations, and youth camps to have defibrillators for youth athletic events. | This bill requires local recreation departments, youth serving organizations, and youth camps to have defibrillators for youth athletic events. Under the bill, a youth camp operator, municipal or county recreation department, and a nonprofit youth serving organization including, but not limited to, Little Leagues, Babe Ruth Leagues, Pop Warner Leagues, Police Athletic Leagues, and youth soccer leagues, which organizes, sponsors, or is otherwise affiliated with youth athletic events that are played on municipal, county, school, or other publicly-owned fields, is to ensure that there is available on site an automated external defibrillator at each youth athletic event and practice held on the home field of the youth camp operator, municipal or county recreation department, or nonprofit youth serving organization. The bill provides that a youth camp operator, municipal or county recreation department, or nonprofit youth serving organization is to be deemed to be in compliance with the bill's requirements if a State-certified emergency services provider or other certified first responder is on site at the athletic event or practice and has a defibrillator available for use on site. Under the bill, a youth camp operator, municipal or county recreation department, or nonprofit youth serving organization, and employees, volunteers, coaches, and licensed athletic trainers of the youth camp operator, municipal or county recreation department, or nonprofit youth serving organization, are to be immune from civil liability in the acquisition and use of a defibrillator. | In Committee |
| A4460 | Provides certain requirements concerning railroad safety. | This bill provides certain requirements concerning railroad safety. Under the bill, the owner or operator of a dangerous hazardous train is to require at least a two-person crew on all dangerous hazardous trains. The owner or operator of a dangerous hazardous train is to further require that all dangerous hazardous trains clearly display the name of the railroad company that owns the dangerous hazardous train. The bill provides for certain exceptions to the two-person crew requirement, including: when a train is performing helper service; when a train is a tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operation that is not part of the general railroad system of transportation; when a train is a locomotive that is not attached to railcars, is located inside a rail yard, and is being moved between tracks or moved to or from a maintenance shop; and when the owner or operator has been exempted from the two-person crew requirement by the Commissioner of Transportation. However, the bill specifies that the two-person crew requirement is mandatory when a train is transporting one or more loaded freight cars containing any material poisonous by inhalation or transporting 10 or more loaded freight cars or freight cars loaded with bulk packages or containing certain hazardous materials. The bill also prohibits a railroad company, including a short line, from operating any train that exceeds 8,500 feet in length on any main line or branch line within the State. Any person or railroad company that violates this maximum length is liable for a civil penalty of at least $500 but not more than $1,000 per foot exceeding the maximum train length allowed under the bill. The maximum penalty allowed is $250,000 in instances of gross negligence or a pattern of repeated violations that cause an imminent hazard of death or injury or that have caused death or injury, regardless of train length. The owner or operator of a privately owned railroad is required to submit a copy of federally required bridge inspection reports to the Commissioner of Transportation, the Governor, and the Legislature. Under the bill, the Board of Public Utilities (board), in conjunction with Department of Transportation (DOT), is required to work with each railroad company that operates in the State to ensure that wayside detector systems are installed and are operating along railroad tracks on which the railroad company operates and to ensure that such systems meet certain standards. If a railroad company refuses to work or otherwise cooperate with the board and the DOT in good faith, the board and the DOT are required to investigate the railroad company's safety practices and standards to determine whether the company appears to be in compliance with federal railroad safety standards. If the railroad company does not appear to be in compliance, the board and the DOT are then required to make a report to the Federal Railroad Administration (administration), within 60 days after this determination, detailing the results of the investigation and recommending that the administration take enforcement action against the railroad company. The bill requires the board and the DOT to send a copy of the report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill requires that all non-profit labor organizations representing a class or craft of employees of rail carriers or rail carrier contractor officials (non-profit labor organizations) be permitted onto railroad property to assist in inspecting for safety hazards and are permitted to identify any alleged safety hazards. Finally, the bill requires the DOT to work with non-profit labor organizations and local emergency response service providers to apply for federal grants. With the exception of the maximum length provisions of the bill, this bill does not apply to certain Class III carriers as defined by the Surface Transportation Board. | In Committee |
| A4686 | Requires school districts to maintain supply of nasal rescue medication and oxygen for seizure emergencies; provides for training of designees to administer nasal rescue medication and oxygen when school nurse is not physical present. | This bill requires a school district, as part of the implementation of a seizure action plan, to maintain a supply of diazepam nasal spray, midazolam nasal spray, and any other similar nasal rescue medication approved for seizures and identified in a seizure action plan submitted to the school district, as prescribed under a standing protocol from a licensed physician or an advanced practice nurse and portable oxygen delivery devices in secure but unlocked locations easily accessible by the school nurse and trained designees throughout each school building to ensure prompt availability in the event of a seizure emergency during school hours and at any other time when a school-sponsored event is taking place on the premises of a school building. The school nurse of each school building would be responsible for designating locations where such nasal rescue medication and oxygen delivery devices would be placed. Nothing in this bill would be construed to prohibit the use of portable oxygen delivery devices to respond to other medical emergencies that may occur during school hours or when a school-sponsored function is taking place on the premises of a school building. The school nurse would have the primary responsibility for administering nasal rescue medication and oxygen but would be able to designate, in consultation with the board of education, additional employees to administer nasal rescue medication to a student when the nurse is not physically present at the scene of a seizure emergency. The school nurse would also be responsible for determining that:· the designees have been properly trained in the administration of nasal rescue medication and oxygen using standardized training protocols established by the Department of Education in consultation with the Department of Health;· the parents or guardians of the student consent in writing to the administration of nasal rescue medication and oxygen by the designees;· the board of education informs the parents or guardians of the student in writing that the district and its employees or agents will have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of nasal rescue medication and oxygen to the student;· the parents or guardians of the student sign a statement acknowledging their understanding that the district will have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of nasal rescue medication and oxygen to the student and that the parents or guardians will indemnify and hold harmless the district and its employees or agents against any claims arising out of the administration of nasal rescue medication and oxygen to the student; and· the permission is effective for the school year for which it is granted and is renewed for each subsequent school year upon fulfillment of the above requirements. In developing the training protocols under the bill, the Department of Education and the Department of Health would be required to: consult with the New Jersey School Nurses Association; distribute the protocols to school districts at the beginning of each school year; and update the protocols as needed. The Department of Education would be responsible for reimbursing the costs incurred by school districts implementing certain provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4699 | Requires institutions of higher education to have automatic external defibrillator on premises and maintain supply of naloxone hydrochloride. | This bill requires an institution of higher education to place an automated external defibrillator in an unlocked location in each athletic facility and student center with an appropriate identifying sign. The defibrillator is to be accessible during the normal operating hours of the athletic facility or student center and within reasonable proximity of the institution's athletic fields. The institution of higher education is to ensure that: (1) at least two staff members who are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of the defibrillator are in the athletic facility or student center during the normal operating hours; and (2) each defibrillator is tested and maintained according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines, and notification is provided to the appropriate first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad, or other appropriate emergency medical services provider regarding the defibrillator, the type acquired, and its location. The bill provides that an institution of higher education and its staff are immune from civil liability in the acquisition and use of a defibrillator. This bill also requires an institution of higher education to obtain a supply of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray to be placed near an automated external defibrillator required by the provisions of the bill in a secure and easily accessible location with an appropriate identifying sign for the purpose of responding to an opioid overdose emergency. The naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray is to be maintained by the institution in quantities and types deemed adequate by the governing board of the institution in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services. The bill requires an institution of higher education to designate a licensed campus medical professional to oversee the institution's program for the maintenance and emergency administration of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray on campus. Finally, the bill provides that an institution of higher education, licensed campus medical professional, member of the higher education community designated to administer naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray by the provisions of the bill, pharmacist, or an authorized health care practitioner who issues a standing order for naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray to an institution of higher education is not to be held liable for any good faith act or omission consistent with the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4711 | Requires public institution of higher education to provide alternative scholarship to student-athlete who loses athletic scholarship due to injury. | This bill requires a public institution of higher education to provide an alternative scholarship to a student-athlete who loses an athletic scholarship due to an injury. If a public institution of higher education rescinds or does not renew an athletic scholarship previously awarded by the institution to a student-athlete due to an incapacitating injury or illness, the bill requires the institution to provide the student-athlete with a scholarship equal in value to the athletic scholarship for the remainder of the student's enrollment in an undergraduate degree program at the institution, or for a maximum of five academic years, inclusive of the duration of the athletic scholarship, whichever is shorter. The bill defines "incapacitating injury or illness" to mean an injury or illness directly related to the student-athlete's participation in an intercollegiate athletic program at a public institution of higher education that has been determined by the institution's medical staff to make the student-athlete medically ineligible to continue participation in intercollegiate athletics. | In Committee |
| AR150 | Recognizes historical importance and cultural significance of Hinchliffe Stadium and annual football game between Montclair State University and William Paterson University at Hinchliffe Stadium. | This Assembly resolution recognizes the historical importance and cultural significance of Hinchliffe Stadium to the State of New Jersey. This resolution also recognizes the significance of an annual football game between Montclair State University and William Paterson University at Hinchliffe Stadium as a sporting event that honors the history and legacy of the stadium. Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey is one of only two surviving Negro League stadiums in the nation and holds immense historical significance as a landmark of sports culture. The stadium, built in 1932, was renovated and reopened in 2023 as a 10,000 seat stadium, and features the Charles J. Muth Museum, a treasure trove of baseball's past. The preservation of historic sites like Hinchliffe Stadium is vital for educating future generations about the contributions of African American athletes to American sports and society. Montclair State University and William Paterson University have a longstanding football rivalry. The annual game between the two institutions is a celebrated event that brings together students, alumni, and the community. Plans to hold the annual rivalry game at Hinchliffe Stadium will not only honor the legacy of the stadium, but also promote its historical and cultural significance. | In Committee |
| A4698 | Permits certain students not enrolled in public schools to participate in interscholastic athletics. | This bill requires school districts to allow students in grades six through 12 who receive equivalent instruction other than at school, and students who attend charter schools, county vocational schools, or nonpublic schools to participate in interscholastic sports programs in the student's resident district in accordance with the same criteria established for students enrolled in the district. The bill also provides that interscholastic sports programs offered by charter schools, county vocational school districts, and nonpublic schools must be available to students attending other public schools. Under the bill, a student in grades six through 12 who receives equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school who wishes to try out for, and participate in, school-sponsored interscholastic athletics in the student's resident district is required to: 1) provide proof that the student resides in the district; 2) meet the sports participation requirements established by the school district for students enrolled in the district such as physical examinations, insurance, age, academic, and other requirements. The student is to comply with the same standards of behavior, responsibilities, and performance as other members of the team; and 3) demonstrate to the board of education that the student is receiving an academically equivalent education compared to students enrolled in the school district and is academically qualified to participate. Under the current rules of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), the participation of such a student is at the discretion of the board of education of the resident school district. In the case of a student enrolled in a charter school, county vocational school, or nonpublic school, the student may try out for, and participate in, interscholastic athletics in the student's resident district if the student's charter school, county vocational school, or nonpublic school does not sponsor an interscholastic sports team in the sport in which the student wishes to participate. In order to participate, the student is to comply with the requirements listed above, other than the requirement to demonstrate academically equivalent instruction. Under current NJSIAA rules, a student enrolled in a nonpublic school, a charter school, or full-time in a county vocational school may only participate in interscholastic athletics in the resident district if the principal of the charter school or county vocational school, as applicable, and the principal of the resident district school agree to such participation. There are reciprocal provisions in the bill for students enrolled in public schools who may want to participate in interscholastic athletics sponsored by charter schools, county vocational school districts. Under the bill, any controversy in regard to whether a home-schooled student, a charter school student, a county vocational school student, nonpublic school student, or other public school student meets the eligibility requirements for student athletes established by the NJSIAA will be adjudicated by the association in compliance with its constitution and by-laws. | In Committee |
| AJR190 | Designates May 7 of each year as "Cystinosis Awareness Day" in New Jersey. | This resolution designates May 7 of each year as "Cystinosis Awareness Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness and to promote research, advocacy, and fundraising initiatives. Cystinosis is a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 2,000 individuals worldwide and approximately 500 Americans, including children in New Jersey. Cystinosis causes cystine crystals to accumulate in cells, irreversibly damaging soft tissue and major organs, including the kidneys, eyes, brain, muscles, liver, thyroid, pancreas, testes, and central nervous system. Infantile nephropathic cystinosis, the most common and severe variant, accounts for 95 percent of the total cases. If left untreated, infantile nephropathic cystinosis can cause complete kidney failure by age 10 and premature death. While there is no cure for cystinosis, early detection, initiation of treatment, and compliance with treatment regimens are key to achieving positive outcomes. Cystinosis treatments have improved survival rates, extended life expectancy by 30 to 40 years, and enabled individuals with cystinosis to enjoy a satisfactory quality of life. However, the rarity of the condition and delayed symptom onset in some individuals may impede early detection and access to treatment. In 2018, the Cystinosis Research Network designated May 7 as Cystinosis Awareness Day to raise awareness and garner support through education and fundraising. Joining the Cystinosis Research Network in recognizing May 7 of each year as Cystinosis Awareness Day in New Jersey will amplify efforts to educate New Jersey residents about cystinosis and advance advocacy initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for individuals living with cystinosis. To that end, May 7 of each year shall be designated as "Cystinosis Awareness Day" in New Jersey. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation annually to recognize Cystinosis Awareness Day and call upon relevant State agencies, organizations, and citizens of the State to participate in awareness initiatives. | In Committee |
| A4680 | Requires schools to universally provide free meals to all students, regardless of whether students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals. | This bill would require school districts and nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, and public and nonpublic schools offering school breakfasts under the federal School Breakfast Program, to respectively provide school lunches or school breakfasts, or both, to all enrolled students, free of charge, regardless of whether each such student is determined to be federally eligible for free or reduced price school meals. Under existing federal law, a student is federally eligible to receive free or reduced price school lunch under the National School Lunch Program, or free or reduced price school breakfast under the federal School Breakfast Program, only if the student is determined to be categorically eligible for such benefits (i.e., is determined to be a homeless child, a migrant child, a runaway child, a foster child, or a Head Start Child, or is a participant in certain public benefits programs) or can demonstrate either that the student lives in a low-income household - i.e., a household having an annual income of not more than 185 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Pursuant to the recently enacted "Working Class Families' Anti-Hunger Act," P.L.2022, c.104 (C.18A:33-3.2 et al.), as amended by P.L.2023, c.336 (C.18A:33-14.2 et al.), New Jersey has additionally provided for free school meals, subsidized by the State, to be provided to public school and non-public school students from "middle-income families" - i.e., families having an income of up to 224 percent of the FPL). This bill would provide for the further expansion of the existing State law, in this area, in order to expressly require all school districts and public or nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or the federal School Breakfast Program to provide school lunch or breakfast, or both, as appropriate, to all enrolled students, free of charge, regardless of each such students categorical eligibility or income-eligibility for federally subsidized school meals. Any student who is neither categorically nor income-eligible to receive free school meals subsidized by the federal government would, under the bill's provisions, still be deemed to be statutorily eligible for free school meals fully subsidized by the State. All students who are deemed to be categorically eligible, income-eligible, or statutorily eligible for subsidized school meals, under the bill's expanded eligibility provisions, would be eligible to continue receiving such school meals, free of charge, through a summer meals program, and, if enrolled at a public school, through an emergency meals distribution program that is activated during a period of public school closure resulting from COVID-19. The bill would revise the existing law to require schools to request that a student's parent or guardian complete a household income data collection form for the limited purposes specified in the bill. This data collection form would serve the same purposes as the current subsidized school meals application that is used to certify students as eligible for free or reduced price school meals; however, parents and guardians would be encouraged, and no longer required, to submit such forms in order for the student to receive free school meals, as provided by the bill. Any parent or guardian declining to provide such income-related data would be required to submit a signed acknowledgement card confirming that declination. Consistent with State-level reimbursement requirements previously established, pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2019, c.445 (C.18A:33-21.1) and the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act, this bill would require the State to provide funding, to each school or school district participating in the National School Lunch Program or federal School Breakfast Program, as may be necessary to reimburse the costs associated with the provision, by such school or district, of subsidized school meals to students who are federally ineligible for free or reduced price school meals. The bill would repeal various sections of existing law, pertaining to school lunch programs, school breakfast programs, and summer meals programs, which are contrary to the bill's universal free meal provisions. Some of the sections being repealed would be replaced by new sections of the bill. The sections being repealed, and the provisions replacing those repealed sections, are as follows: (1) Section 1 of P.L.2006, c.14 (C.18A:33-3.1). This section pertains to prepayment for school lunches. Because students will no longer be required to pay for school lunches under the bill, this section is being repealed. (2) Section 2 of P.L.1974, c.53 (C.18A:33-5). This section exempts, from school lunch requirements, any school in which less than five percent of enrolled students meet federal eligibility requirements for receipt of free meals. Because the bill requires all schools to provide free school lunches, this section is being repealed; however, the exemption previously provided thereby is being restated in section 1 of P.L.1974, c.53 (C.18A:33-4), as amended by section 2 of the bill. (3) Section 3 of P.L.2003, c.4 (C.18A:33-11). This section requires a school district to publicize the availability of the federal School Breakfast Program, to ensure that students eligible for free or reduced price breakfasts are not treated differently than other students, and to encourage students who are not eligible for free or reduced price breakfasts to, nonetheless, participate in the federal School Breakfast Program. Because the bill provides that income-eligibility may not be considered when providing free meals to students, this section is being repealed, and its publicity provisions are being moved to, and restated in, other provisions of the bill. (5) Section 1 of P.L.2015, c.15 (C.18A:33-21). This section provides procedures to be implemented by a school district, and establishes certain prohibitions on discriminatory treatment, when a student's school breakfast or school lunch bill is in arrears. Because students will not be required to pay for school lunch or breakfast under the bill's provisions and the determination of school meal arrearages will, therefore, not be relevant to whether a student receives school meals under the bill, this section is being repealed. (6) Section 1 of P.L.2020, c.29 (C.18A:33-21a). This section established a short title (the "Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights Act"), which was to be used in citing to section 1 of P.L.2015, c.15 (C.18A:33-21) and sections 3 and 4 of P.L.2020, c.29 (C.18A:33-21b and C.18A:33-21c). However, section 3 of P.L.2020, c.29 (C.18A:33-21b) was previously repealed by P.L.2023, c.336 (C.18A:33-14.2 et al.), and section 1 of P.L.2015, c.15 (C.18A:33-21) is being repealed by this bill. In addition, because the only remaining provision of law cited in this section - i.e., section 4 of P.L.2020, c.29 (C.18A:33-21c) - contains only a single sentence related to the receipt of school meals by homeless students (and does not a more detailed provision establishing a "bill of rights" for all students), it no longer seems necessary or appropriate to attach a short title to this sole remaining provision of law, particularly when the existing short title does not reflect the purpose of that remaining provision. As a result, this short title section is being repealed. | In Committee |
| S2644 | Requires DOE to establish working group on student literacy; mandates universal literacy screenings for kindergarten through grade three students; requires professional development for certain school district employees. | An Act concerning student literacy and supplementing chapter 6 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| A2824 | Modifies down payment assistance program for benefit of first-generation and first-time homebuyers. | Modifies down payment assistance program for benefit of first-generation and first-time homebuyers. | In Committee |
| S1446 | Modifies down payment assistance program for benefit of first-generation and first-time homebuyers; makes an appropriation. | An Act concerning housing assistance for certain homebuyers and amending P.L.2023, c.78. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AR148 | Condemns action of Republican members of United States Congress in failing to support passage of SB3612; affirms New Jersey Legislature's commitment to protecting reproductive freedom and full access to reproductive health care. | This resolution condemns the action of the Republican members of the United States Congress in failing to support the passage of SB3612, federal legislation supportive of the use of in vitro technology and the rights of individuals in relation to the use of assisted reproductive technology. 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. Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic Senator from Illinois who utilized IVF to conceive her two children, introduced Senate Bill 3612 (SB3612), part of a four-bill package of legislation known as the "Right to IVF Act," in order to protect the rights of individuals to seek reproductive assistance, such as IVF, and the physicians who provide these services, without the fear of prosecution. . SB3612, known as the "Access to Family Building Act," would bar the limitation of access to assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, and grants the individual rights to (1) access assisted reproductive technology, (2) continue or complete ongoing assisted reproductive technology treatment or procedure, and (3) retain all rights regarding the use or disposition of genetic materials. Senator Duckworth urged her Republican colleagues to join the Democrats' efforts to protect access to IVF by unanimously passing this legislation. The Republicans failed to support the measure and the vote to pass the measure failed. Instead of supporting the passage of SB3612, Republican senators proposed an alternative measure, the "IVF Protection Act," which would discourage, but nonetheless allow, states to enact burdensome treatment restrictions. Following the failure to support the passage of SB3612, Senate Republicans issued a statement of support for the use of IVF technology. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4670 | Requires $1 million annual appropriation to certain educational services commissions for school facilities projects and school security improvements. | This bill provides State funding to educational services commissions for certain school facilities projects and school security improvements. Under current law, educational services commissions do not receive direct State funding for school facilities projects or school security improvements. This bill would provide State funds in an amount of $1 million per school year to an educational services commission that provides in-classroom instruction and educational services primarily to students with a school district of residence that is an SDA district. The funds are to be used for school facilities projects and school security improvements. | In Committee |
| A4665 | Requires Secretary of Higher Education and public institutions of higher education to develop programs for improving Hispanic and Latino representation in higher education leadership positions. | This bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education and public institutions of higher education to develop programs for improving Hispanic and Latino representation in higher education leadership positions. Under the bill, the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, is directed to establish a targeted leadership development program that prepares Hispanic and Latino faculty for leadership positions at public institutions of higher education in the State. Additionally, the bill requires the secretary to establish a program that develops or expands pipelines that guide Hispanic or Latino undergraduate students into academic careers. The bill requires each public institution of higher education to adopt policies and procedures to promote diverse representation reflective of the student body and the State on any search committee convened for a senior administration or leadership position at the institution. Under the bill, the Secretary of Higher Education is required to establish a program to assist public institutions of higher education in the recruitment and retention of Hispanic and Latino faculty and staff into leadership positions at those institutions. The purpose of the program is to develop guidance and strategies for the institutions to: · identify and mitigate cultural and institutional barriers experienced by Hispanic and Latino faculty and administrators which may negatively impact the recruitment and retention of those individuals into leadership positions at public institutions of higher education; · provide institutional support and professional development opportunities specifically designed for Hispanic and Latino faculty and administrators;· promote opportunities for academic alliances and collaborative partnerships to share best practices, resources, and support for increasing Hispanic and Latino representation in institution leadership; and · conduct an ongoing review of the effectiveness of the institution's diversity programs and initiatives. The bill requires each public institution of higher education to implement a program to increase the recruitment and retention of Hispanic and Latino individuals into leadership positions at the institution. Finally, the bill requires each public institution of higher education to submit an annual diversity report to the Secretary of Higher Education. The report will include, at a minimum:· the racial and gender composition of all leadership positions at the institution; and· a review of the diversity program implemented pursuant to the bill's provisions. The bill directs the secretary to compile the annual diversity reports submitted by the institutions and submit a summative report annually to the Governor and the Legislature. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4669 | Establishes United Network for Inclusive Teaching and Youth Grant Program; makes appropriation. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to administer a three-year United Network for Inclusive Teaching and Youth (UNITY) Grant Program. The program is to award grants to school district employees facing adverse situations, as defined by the commissioner, to provide access to free or low cost preschool or higher education for their dependents. A school district employee that wishes to receive a grant is to submit an application to the commissioner in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The application is to include any information required by the commissioner. Under the bill, the commissioner is to determine the amount of each grant awarded under the program and the commissioner may award multi-year grants. The sponsor notes that the purpose of the bill is to foster collaboration, inclusivity, and support within the educational community for the benefit of both school district employees and their children. | In Committee |
| A4668 | Strengthens State's assault weapons ban. | This bill would strengthen the State's current assault weapons ban by revising the definition of an assault weapon to include: rifles with detachable magazines and one military style feature; semi-automatic shotguns with one military style feature; and semi-automatic pistols with one military style feature. The current definition of an assault weapon sets forth a list of prohibited firearms and specifically includes any firearm that is "substantially identical" to any of the enumerated firearms. Under State regulations, a semi-automatic firearm is to be considered substantially identical to an enumerated firearm if it meets certain criteria. This bill codifies these regulations while expanding the number of firearms that would be considered assault weapons by adding criteria and reducing the number of criteria that must be met from two to one. For example, under current regulations, a semi-automatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two listed criteria would be considered an assault weapon. These criteria include: a folding telescoping stock, a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon; a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor; and a grenade launcher. Under the bill, additional criteria are added including a thumbhole stock and a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand. The bill also requires that only one criteria be met, rather than the currently required two. | In Committee |
| A4667 | Establishes the "New Jersey Health Care and Privacy Protection Act"; bars disclosure of certain geolocation data. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Health Care and Privacy Protection Act." Under the bill, any business in this State that tracks, uses, collects, stores, or sells precise geolocation data of an individual in this State is prohibited from disclosing such data or any personal data of any person located in or in close proximity to a reproductive health care facility. The bill defines "reproductive health care facility" as any hospital, clinic, office, or other site that provides, refers, or seeks to provide legally protected health care activity, including, but not limited to, contraception, pregnancy testing, and abortion services. It is an unlawful practice and a violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, N.J.S.A.56:8-1 et seq., for a business to violate the bill. Further, the bill clarifies that the laws of New Jersey govern in any action against a person providing or receiving legally protected health care activity in New Jersey. The bill defines "legally protected health care activity" to mean providing, seeking, receiving, assisting with, or inquiring about reproductive health care services or gender affirming health care services that are lawful in the State of New Jersey. Finally, the bill replaces any instance of "unborn child" with the term "fetus" in relevant statutory provisions. It is the sponsor's intent to protect the rights of individuals to access and provide legally protected health care services in New Jersey and to safeguard persons' privacy in seeking such care. | In Committee |
| A4303 | Requires DOE to establish working group on student literacy; mandates universal literacy screenings for kindergarten through grade three students; requires professional development for certain school district employees. | Requires DOE to establish working group on student literacy; mandates universal literacy screenings for kindergarten through grade three students; requires professional development for certain school district employees. | In Committee |
| A4630 | Enters NJ in Cosmetology Licensure Compact. | This bill will enter New Jersey into the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. The compact establishes a multistate license system in which an individual licensed as a cosmetologist needs only to obtain licensure in one state that is a party to the compact in order to practice as a cosmetologist in another member state to the compact, so long as certain requirements established under the compact are met by the individual. Under the bill, provisions are established regarding, among other items, the authority of a member state's licensing authority; how an adverse action against a multistate licensee is managed; the set-up of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission and its Executive Committee; the collection of data on member states; and how to withdraw from the compact, if sought by a member state. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4660 | Establishes Reproductive Health Care Professionals Loan Redemption Program; appropriates $5 million. | This bill establishes the Reproductive Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). The loan redemption program is to provide for the redemption of a portion of a program participant's State, federal, or commercial student loans in exchange for the program participant's service at a site providing reproductive health care services, as approved by the authority. Under the bill, the sites may include sites operated by a nonprofit organizations, hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, and other facilities providing reproductive health care services. An approved site under the bill includes sites providing abortion care. To be eligible to participate in the program, an applicant is required to: (1) be a resident of the State; (2) be employed as an eligible reproductive health care professional, defined as a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services and who is providing reproductive health care services in the State; and (3) submit an application in a manner determined by the executive director of the HESAA. In selecting program participants, the executive director is required to give preference to applicants employed as an eligible reproductive health care professional in a county facing a shortage of reproductive health care professionals. The bill stipulates that a selected program participant is to enter into a written contract with the authority. The contract is to specify the duration of the program participant's required service and the total amount of student loans to be redeemed in return for the service. Under the bill, loan redemption is to amount to 18 percent of a program participant's qualifying loan amounts in return for one full year of service at an approved site, an additional 26 percent for a second full year of service, an additional 28 percent for a third full year of service, and an additional 28 percent for a fourth full year of service. The total loan redemption for a program participant is not to exceed $200,000. Finally, the bill stipulates that a reproductive health care professional, who is participating in the National Health Services Corps Loan Repayment Program or any other loan redemption program administered by the authority, is not eligible to simultaneously participate in the Reproductive Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program. | In Committee |
| A4304 | Requires school districts to provide training and coaching to certain teachers on student literacy and reading interventions; requires DOE to establish program for literacy coaches. | This bill requires school districts to provide training and coaching to teachers regarding student literacy and reading interventions necessary for students with reading deficiencies. Under the bill, a school district is required to annually provide training to any teacher in grades kindergarten through 12 who provides reading interventions to students that exhibit a reading deficiency, and any teaching staff member holding an educational services certificate with a reading specialist endorsement. The training is required to include information on: (1) the science of reading; (2) reading intervention techniques; and (3) distinguishing between identification of a student who may be eligible for special education and related services in accordance with the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act," and a student who may exhibit signs of a reading deficiency. The bill requires the Department of Education, in consultation with Commissioner of Education-approved educator preparation program providers in the State, to establish and implement a "train the trainer" program for the creation of literacy coaches in public schools. Reading specialists are to provide instruction to interested teachers on the science of reading and reading interventions. The department is required to issue a literary coach certificate to any teacher who completes the training, provided the teacher submits proof of completion on a form as determined by the department. Under the bill, a literacy coach is to receive a one-time stipend from the department. The stipend is to be in an amount determined by the department and subject to available funds. Additionally, the bill requires a school district to provide kindergarten through grade 12 teachers with ongoing coaching support to aid in the delivery of reading interventions. The support is required to include: (1) on-site teacher training on evidence-based reading instruction and data-based decision making; (2) example lessons; (3) classroom observance during the delivery of reading interventions; and (4) immediate feedback for improving reading instruction, if applicable. A literacy coach can conduct this training, provided the training does not conflict with the other job responsibilities of the teaching staff member. Within the limit of available funds, the literacy coach is eligible for a stipend from the department for any school year in which the literacy coach conducts the training. The training and coaching established by this bill are to count towards the current professional development requirement on reading disabilities for certain public school teaching staff members. The bill defines the "science of reading" as evidence-based reading instruction practices that address the acquisition of language, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling, fluency, vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension that can be differentiated to meet the needs of individual students. "Reading deficiency" is defined as scoring below grade level or being determined to be at risk of scoring below grade level on a screening assessment, diagnostic assessment, standardized summative assessment, or progress monitoring. "Reading intervention" is defined as an evidence-based strategy frequently used to remediate reading deficiencies that include, but are not limited to, individual instruction, tutoring, or mentoring that target specific reading skills and abilities. | In Committee |
| A4308 | Requires school districts to implement reading intervention program for students in certain grades as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in English Language Arts. | This bill requires that a school district offer a reading intervention program to students in grades kindergarten through three. The reading intervention program is to: (1) utilize a data-driven multi-tiered system of supports; (2) provide explicit and systemic instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, as applicable; (3) monitor the progress of a student's reading skills throughout the school year; and (4) be adjusted throughout the year, if necessary, according to student needs. The bill also requires the department to provide school districts with age-appropriate materials designed to implement the program. Under the bill, school districts are required to adopt high-quality instructional materials grounded in scientifically-based reading research to implement the program. The department is to provide school districts with age-appropriate materials designed to implement the provisions of this subsection. The bill also requires the department to develop and implement a process to evaluate the reading intervention program required under the bill. | 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 |
| A4541 | Requires State-level bodies to include option for remote participation in public meetings. | This bill requires that any department, division, agency, board, commission, authority, task force, or other public body established for the purpose of serving the interests of this State as a whole provide for the remote participation of the public at every public meeting they hold. This requirement will not apply to public bodies established by a political subdivision of the State or concerned exclusively with issues of a local or regional nature. | In Committee |
| A4555 | Requires DOLWD to provide assistance and education to small businesses in special improvement districts; establishes outreach campaign. | This bill requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to identify small businesses that are located in special improvement districts throughout the State for the purpose of notifying each small business of the business's location within a special improvement district and of certain benefits that are available to businesses within a special improvement district. Further, the bill requires the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Department of Environmental Protection, the Business Action Center in the Department of State, to create and implement an outreach program to inform small businesses which are located in special improvement districts about key issues that small businesses might face including, but not limited to: (1) small business grants and loans; (2) State wage, benefit and tax laws; and (3) climate change resiliency. The program will develop and distribute written materials to small businesses which are located in special improvement districts, and will engage in regular outreach to these businesses to notify and educate small businesses on the key issues that small businesses may face. | In Committee |
| A4307 | Establishes exemption from State residency requirement for certain public school teachers for two years. | Establishes exemption from State residency requirement for certain public school teachers for two years. | In Committee |
| A4494 | Increases penalties for drag racing; provides for impoundment under certain circumstances. | This bill concerns the penalties for drag racing on public highways. Under current law, a person is subject to a fine of a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $100 for a first offense of racing on a public highway. In addition, a person is subject to a fine of a minimum of $100 and a maximum $200 for a subsequent offense. This bill increases the penalty for racing on a public highway to a fine between $100 and $200 for a first offense and a fine between $200 and $300 for a second offense. For a third or subsequent offense, the bill provides that the motor vehicle used for racing in violation of current law be impounded for not less than 96 hours. Under the bill, the owner of the motor vehicle may reclaim the motor vehicle by showing proof of registration and insurance and paying all reasonable towing and storage costs. Further, if the owner fails to claim the motor vehicle within 30 days, it may be sold at public auction. Proceeds of the sale in excess of reasonable costs of towing and storage are returned to the owner or administered in accordance with the "Uniform Unclaimed Property Act." | In Committee |
| A4520 | Requires DHS to establish program to assist children with incarcerated non-custodial parents in enrolling in safety net programs. | This bill directs the Department of Human Services (department), in collaboration with county welfare agencies, to establish an enrollment and outreach program focused on assisting any New Jersey child, with an incarcerated non-custodial parent, in enrolling in safety net programs for which the child or the child's custodial parent or guardian may be eligible. As used in the bill, safety net program means any program administered through the department, which is authorized to provide assistance and services to needy persons, such as the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Work First New Jersey, the NJ FamilyCare program, and the Child Care Subsidy Program. In order to effectuate the goal of the program, the department, at a minimum, is required to: 1) collaborate with the Department of Corrections, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and any other applicable public agency to identify any child in the State, up to and including the age of 18, whose non-custodial parent is or will be incarcerated; 2) contact, at a minimum, the custodial parent or guardian of such a child no less than on three occasions, using as many means of contact as are available to the department, with the department contacting the parent or guardian in writing on at least one occasion. During each contact, the custodial parent or guardian of the child is to be informed of the various benefits and services offered through the safety net programs administered by the department; the eligibility requirements of each program; the methods in which the custodial parent or guardian may apply for the programs, including the physical location and hours of operation of the local county welfare agency; a contact phone number and e-mail address which the custodial parent or guardian may use to ask questions or seek guidance on enrollment at a later time; and referrals to any program administered by a State agency other than the department that may provide services or benefits useful to the child or the custodial parent or guardian of the child; and 3) track any applications for safety net programs submitted under the program and expedite the processing of these applications such that a determination is provided to the custodial parent or guardian within 30 days of submission. | 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 |
| A4507 | Changes term "inmate" to "incarcerated person." | This bill removes all references to the term "inmate" from the statutes, and replaces those references with the term "incarcerated person." This bill embodies the recommendation of the New Jersey Law Revision Commission, set forth in its Final Report: Regarding the Use of the Term "Inmate"; issued on June 6, 2022. | In Committee |
| A4484 | Establishes "New Jersey Paid Prenatal Personal Leave Act." | This bill provides every eligible employee in the State with 20 hours of paid prenatal personal leave for each calendar year. The bill defines paid prenatal personal leave to mean leave that is taken for health care services received by an employee during the employee's pregnancy or related to the employee's pregnancy, including physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring and testing, and discussions with a health care provider related to the pregnancy. The requirement to provide prenatal leave applies to private and public employers in the State, and full-time and part-time employees are eligible for the leave. Under the bill, employees may take the leave in one-hour increments, and they are entitled to compensation at their regular rate of pay for the leave taken. The bill provides that employers are prohibited from penalizing, discriminating against, or retaliating against employees for taking or requesting the leave. Employers are not required to pay employees for any unused leave at the time of separation from employment. The bill's provisions will not go into effect until January 1, 2026. | In Committee |
| A4499 | Establishes "Reproductive Health Access for Haitian Migrants Act." | This bill establishes the "Reproductive Health Access for Haitian Migrants Act." Under the bill, the Department of Health (department), in collaboration with community health clinics and migrant support organizations, is to ensure that all Haitian migrants have access to reproductive contraceptives at no cost. Contraceptive options for Haitian migrants are to include, but are not to be limited to, intrauterine devices, birth control pills, and Depo-Provera injections. Services for Haitian migrants are to include comprehensive reproductive health education and counseling to ensure informed decision-making. The department is to develop detailed guidelines for the implementation of the provisions of this bill, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and logistics of contraceptive distribution within 120 days following the bill's effective date. The bill provides that the department is to prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Legislature an annual report containing information on outreach, usage statistics, and any barriers to accessing reproductive contraceptives encountered by Haitian migrants. | In Committee |
| A4511 | Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for enrollment of student in recovery high school alternative education program. | This bill requires hospital, medical and health service corporations, commercial insurers, health maintenance organizations, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, to provide coverage for benefits for the enrollment of a student in a recovery high school alternative education program established pursuant to State law. The bill requires health insurance coverage only if placement in the recovery high school alternative education program is determined to be clinically appropriate by a certified alcohol and drug counselor, licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, treating physician, treatment facility, or district student assistance counselor using the criteria for substance use disorder or dependency as defined by the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Under current law, a "recovery high school alternative education program" means an alternative education program that serves students diagnosed with substance use disorder or dependency as defined by the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and that provides a comprehensive four-year high school education in an alternative public school setting and a structured plan of recovery that is aligned with the national framework of evidence-based practices for recovery high schools. | In Committee |
| A3857 | Allows social worker to acquire four hours of continuing education credit for volunteering as poll worker. | Allows social worker to acquire four hours of continuing education credit for volunteering as poll worker. | 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 |
| S2082 | Establishes New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force; clarifies collection of student growth data. | An Act establishing the "New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force," and amending and supplementing P.L.2012, c.26. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3854 | Regulates use of automated employment decision tools in employment decisions to minimize discrimination in employment. | Regulates use of automated employment decision tools in employment decisions to minimize discrimination in employment. | In Committee |
| A4386 | Requires public schools that offer student psychological services to offer remote sessions. | This bill requires school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person school psychology services to students in grades kindergarten through 12 to allow students to attend counseling sessions or meetings of any kind through virtual or remote means. Under the bill, a student will not be eligible to participate in remote psychology sessions if the school psychologist determines that in-person counseling is in the best interest of the student. Also under the bill, a student will not be required to attend a school counseling session or meeting with a school psychologist remotely, and will be permitted to continue to attend sessions in-person. As used in the bill, a "school psychologist" means a person who holds a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school psychologist endorsement. School psychologists assist educators in implementing safe, healthy classroom and school environments by providing students with a wide range of emotional and academic services. This bill ensures that students who are unable to attend in-person sessions, for whatever reason, will continue to have access to their school psychologist by offering virtual or remote counseling sessions. | In Committee |
| A4387 | Allows students to use portion of opportunity grant awards under Educational Opportunity Fund program during summer session. | This bill provides that a student may elect to use a portion of an opportunity grant funded through the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), during the summer session following the academic year for courses that fulfill graduation requirements or award credits in the student's academic major. The student would be responsible for notifying the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education of the intent to use a portion of the award during the summer. The Secretary of Higher Education would adjust the amount of the student's award that will be disbursed during the academic year, and notify the student that using a portion of the grant during the summer session will reduce the amount of the award that will be disbursed during the academic year. The secretary would also be required to annually report the number of students who did and did not use a portion of a grant award to enroll in courses during the summer, and the number and percent of these students who graduated within 100 percent and 150 percent of average completion time. This bill implements a recommendation of the College Affordability Study Commission which released its final report in September 2016. | In Committee |
| AR139 | Expresses sincere appreciation to staff of New Jersey General Assembly. | This resolution expresses sincere appreciation to the staff of the New Jersey General Assembly. Each legislative session, the General Assembly of New Jersey elects officers and administrative personnel to serve the vital functions of the General Assembly. These staff members play a pivotal role in the smooth functioning of the legislative process in this State, and their experience and diverse backgrounds contribute greatly to the effectiveness of the General Assembly's operations. Despite any challenges faced during each legislative session, the General Assembly staff uphold exemplary standards of professionalism and expertise within the constitutionally mandated timeframes. It is essential to recognize the Chief Clerk and all members of the General Assembly staff for their unwavering dedication and service to the State of New Jersey. Therefore, the General Assembly wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to the Chief Clerk and all members of the General Assembly staff for their outstanding dedication, cooperation, and excellent work. | In Committee |
| A4385 | Requires vehicle identification number be stamped on catalytic converters of motor vehicles. | According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, theft of catalytic converters has dramatically increased in recent years. In 2019, approximately 3,400 claims of catalytic converter theft were filed. In 2020, the number of claims more than tripled. Under this bill, car manufacturers would be required to engrave or stamp the vehicle identification number onto the catalytic converter of a motor vehicle sold within the State. It is the sponsor's belief that this bill is necessary given the increasing number of thefts, and that once scrap yards and would-be thieves become aware of the new requirements, thefts will decrease. | In Committee |
| AJR178 | Urges US Department of Veterans Affairs to study use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans. | This joint resolution urges the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to study the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans. While serving their country, military members can come across various traumatic events through circumstances such as war zone deployment, training accidents, and military sexual trauma. Among veterans using health care provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 23 percent had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their life. PTSD can cause chemical changes in the body's hormonal system and autonomic nervous system, as well as changes to brain activity and structure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been effective in treating disruptions of brain structure and functions, making it a potential alternative treatment for PTSD. In 2017, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs announced it would offer HBOT as a treatment option for a small group of veterans with PTSD symptoms resistant to standard treatments. Additionally, two evidence briefs on the use of HBOT to treat veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD in whom other treatments have not been successful were prepared for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. On April 16, 2024, legislation establishing a pilot program at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish HBOT for veterans who have PTSD or TBI passed the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health by voice vote. It is important that a study on the efficacy of HBOT be conducted to determine if the treatment will bring about beneficial changes for the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who proudly serve the nation and risk their lives to protect our freedom. | In Committee |
| A3992 | Increases penalties for certain prohibited sales of tobacco and vapor products. | Increases penalties for certain prohibited sales of tobacco and vapor products. | In Committee |
| A4363 | Provides funding to nonprofit organizations to implement smart technology and artificial intelligence systems to enhance security infrastructure. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program" within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to provide funding to nonprofit organizations to implement smart technology and artificial intelligence systems to enhance security infrastructure. The bill permits any nonprofit organization to apply to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to receive grants under the program, for either the cost of implementing smart technology or integrating artificial intelligence systems, or both within this State. While all nonprofits are eligible for the grant program, the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is required to evaluate all applications and prioritize awarding grants to nonprofit organizations which: (1) serve at-risk communities; (2) serve communities of color; (3) are interdisciplinary organizations; and (4) are collaborative organizations consisting of multiple nonprofit agencies or community groups. Under the provisions of this bill, the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is required to: (1) request annually as part of its annual budget proposal a minimum of $14,000,000 to fund the grant program; (2) leverage existing partnerships or develop partnerships with technology companies and startup organizations to access discounted or pro bono technological services; (3) provide reasonable technical assistance and support to grant recipients; (4) assess and approve all artificial intelligence systems purchased by recipients through the grant program; (5) establish an annual event to highlight the achievements and innovative practices of grant recipients in enhancing security infrastructure; (6) set aside five percent of the total amount appropriated to administer and evaluate the grant program; and (7) develop a comprehensive assessment of the program's impact, effectiveness, and continued relevance after five years of administering the grant program. In addition, under the provisions of this bill, nonprofit organizations who are recipients of the grant program are required to: (1) develop community engagement initiatives; (2) submit regular reports to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, detailing the facilitation of community engagement activities and the implementation of smart technology and artificial intelligence systems; and (3) allocate a portion of the grant funds to provide recipients with training and capacity building for nonprofit staff members and volunteers. According to the sponsor, the purpose of the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program is to promote innovation, security enhancement, and equity within nonprofit organizations in this State while fostering collaboration, community engagement, and continuous technological advancement. | In Committee |
| A4324 | Increases from six to 10 the number of motor vehicle penalty points necessary to incur surcharges. | This bill increases from six to 10 the number of motor vehicle penalty points that a driver may accrue before being subject to motor vehicle surcharges. Motor vehicle surcharges are fines imposed on drivers who have accumulated six or more penalty points in less than three years for traffic violations or have been convicted in court for a specific offense. A person who accumulates six or more points within three years from his or her last posted violation is subject to a $150 surcharge plus $25 for each additional point. Failure to pay surcharges may result in a driver's license suspension. In order to reduce the number of driver's licenses suspended for failure to pay surcharges, this bill increases the number of penalty points a person may accrue before surcharges are assessed. Under the bill, a person who accrues 10 or more penalty points within three years from his or her last posted conviction is subject to motor vehicle surcharges. | In Committee |
| A4301 | Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to include workforce training programs. | This bill permits the inclusion of workforce training programs in the Tuition Aid Grant Program. Under current law, the Tuition Aid Grant Program is limited to institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions with degree-granting programs approved by the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. This bill requires the authority to designate qualified workforce training programs to participate in the tuition aid grant program. Designations are not limited to the degree-granting programs of an institution. Under the bill, the authority is to determine eligibility criteria for participation in the tuition aid grant program. At minimum, to be eligible to participate in the tuition aid grant program, a workforce training program is to: (1) require students to attend, at minimum, 150 hours of classroom instruction; (2) offer an industry-valued credential or employer-valued credential; and (3) have an average completion rate of at least 70 percent, as well as an average job placement rate of at least 70 percent. | In Committee |
| A4330 | Establishes program to provide free tuition under State Tuition Aid Grant Program to certain students who are accepted to public four-year institutions of higher education and elect to attend county college for first two years. | This bill establishes the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program within the State Tuition Aid Grant Program. The program will provide free tuition to certain students who are accepted for admission to a four-year public institution of higher education, qualify for tuition aid grants, and elect to attend a county college for the first two years of their undergraduate education. A grant for an eligible student under the program will cover the full cost of tuition for two years at a county college to complete an associate degree and two years at a four-year public institution of higher education to complete a baccalaureate degree. In order to be eligible to participate in the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program, a student must meet the following criteria: (1) be accepted for admission as a full-time undergraduate student at a four-year public institution of higher education; (2) be eligible to receive a State tuition aid grant pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71B-18 et seq., and apply for all available State and federal student grants and scholarships for which the student is eligible; (3) elect to complete the first two years of the student's undergraduate education at the New Jersey county college serving the student's county of residence; (4) defer admission at the four-year public institution of higher education for a period of two years; and (5) have a New Jersey Eligibility Index under the State Tuition Aid Grant Program that does not exceed 2499. The bill requires a four-year public institution of higher education to grant a deferment for two years to a student who has been accepted for admission to the institution and who participates in the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program. All academic credits earned at the county college by a program participant will be fully transferrable and credited as the first two years of a baccalaureate degree program at the four-year institution. In addition, the bill allows independent institutions of higher education to elect to participate in the program. In the case of an eligible student who is accepted to a participating independent institution, the grant will cover the full cost of tuition for two years at a county college, and for the two subsequent years the grant amount will equal the average cost of attendance at the four-year public institutions of higher education in each year of attendance. The independent institution may charge the student for the cost of tuition in excess of the grant amount. The bill provides that any monies the State saves under the Tuition Aid Grant Program as a result of students participating in the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program will be reinvested in the Tuition Aid Grant Program in order to expand the population of students who are eligible to participate in the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program. The bill also requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to submit a report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the program, which will include the number of students participating in the program, the graduation rate of participants, information on student outcomes, and the amount of any cost savings realized by the State as a result of students participating in the program. | In Committee |
| A4341 | Requires DHS to establish Haitian Migrant Assistance Program. | This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a Haitian Migrant Assistance Program to provide social services and financial assistance to undocumented Haitian migrants who have arrived in the State at least two years prior to the effective date of the bill. As defined in the bill, "undocumented Haitian migrant" means a person of Haitian descent residing in the United States without legal immigration status, including a person who entered the United States without inspection and proper permission from the United States government in order to find work or better living conditions or to permanently relocate to the United States, and who may be subject to removal by the government. The services offered by the program are to include financial and social service assistance; educational, referral, translation, interpreter, and employment related services; and civic and community-related instruction as outlined in the bill, and the DHS is permitted to contract with community-based, faith-based, and non-profit organizations serving immigrant populations to provide such services. Labeled as one of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been battered by natural disasters, including earthquakes and hurricanes, public health emergencies, and extreme economic hardships for hundreds of years. The catastrophic earthquake in 2010 killed more than 220,000 Haitians and left several thousand injured and about 1.5 million homeless. Another earthquake in 2021 pushed the country into an even greater crisis. In addition to natural disasters, the country experienced additional upheaval because of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and, as result, many Haitians were confronted with growing violence, extreme poverty, and a government in disarray. As the security and political situation in the Caribbean nation continued to devolve after President Moïse's death, gang violence increased and continues to affect everyday life to a perilous degree. This has led to a massive exodus of Haitians to Central and Latin America and, most recently, the United States. Given the political turmoil, economic distress, public health emergencies, and natural disasters the country has faced and continues to face, Haitian migrants undergo the treacherous journey to the United States, many who have lost their lives in the attempt, in search of safety and economic opportunity. Haiti is the country with the highest rate of asylum denial in the United States, according to data from the Justice Department. This has resulted in many Haitians entering this country undocumented and without the ability to access traditional migrant services that provide them with the financial support and social networks necessary to settle in the United States and in New Jersey. It is therefore in the public interest of the State to establish an assistance program to provide social services and financial assistance to undocumented Haitian migrants who have recently arrived in the State of New Jersey. | In Committee |
| A4310 | Establishes Public Education Innovation Fund; provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses for making qualified education donations. | This bill establishes the Public Education Innovation Fund ("fund") in the Department of Education and provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses for making qualified education donations to the fund. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education would award grants from the fund to low-performing public schools in this State for the implementation of educational innovation programs. The commissioner would award grants to qualifying schools through a competitive application process, subject to the availability of monies in the fund. The bill defines "educational innovation program" as any program that implements innovative strategies to mitigate or eliminate one or more barriers to academic achievement at a low-performing public school. Under the bill, a "low-performing public school" is defined as a school located in New Jersey, under collegiate grade, that is operated by a school district or a charter school established pursuant to current law, and that meets the following criteria: (1) among all students in that school to whom a State assessment was administered, the sum of the percent of students scoring in the not yet meeting expectations and partially meeting expectations categories in both the language arts and mathematics subject areas of the State assessments exceeded 40 percent in each of the prior two school years; or (2) among all students in that school to whom a State assessment was administered, the sum of the percent of students scoring in the not yet meeting expectations and partially meeting expectations categories in either the language arts or mathematics subject areas of the State assessment exceeded 65 percent in each of the prior two school years. The bill provides that business entities may apply to the commissioner for corporation business tax or gross income tax credits for the amount of qualified education donations made to the fund in any year. For a business entity that is a corporation business taxpayer, the bill caps the amount of the credit at 75 percent of the business's tax liability otherwise due for the privilege period. For a business entity that is a gross income taxpayer, the bill caps the amount of the credit at $10,000 of the business's qualified education donations made during the taxable year. The bill limits the total amount of tax credits approved under the bill at $5,000,000 for each State fiscal year. | In Committee |
| A3873 | Allows certain public high school student-athletes to substitute study hall for physical education during their athletic seasons. | Allows certain public high school student-athletes to substitute study hall for physical education during their athletic seasons. | In Committee |
| A4269 | Enhances access to certain foreclosure counseling services. | This bill is intended to enhance access to financial counseling services for homeowners facing foreclosure. Under existing law, a homeowner facing foreclosure is required to engage in financial counseling as a prerequisite for participating in foreclosure mediation services offered by the Judiciary. These existing counseling services are funded by the "New Jersey Foreclosure Counseling Fund" (counseling fund), administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). This bill would expressly provide that the financial counseling services would be offered through the counseling fund to homeowners facing foreclosure, regardless of whether a homeowner intends to participate in foreclosure mediation. The bill would further provide that, whenever a residential mortgage lender provides a homeowner with a notice of intention to foreclose, no later than one business day following that action, the lender would also be required to notify HMFA, for the purpose of facilitating housing counseling outreach. Upon receiving this notice, the bill requires HMFA to ensure that a trained foreclosure prevention and default mitigation counselor promptly and diligently contacts the homeowner to offer counseling services. The bill takes effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment, and directs HMFA to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of the bill on or before the effective date. | In Committee |
| AR130 | Urges Governor and Legislature to establish initiatives towards education of social workers. | This resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to establish initiatives towards the education of students seeking degrees in social work. Social workers play a crucial role in improving the well-being of the people of New Jersey and helping the State become a better place to live. As essential workers, social workers played a crucial role in helping communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational debt for social work graduates has continued to rise over the past 10 years. According to the Council on Social Work Education, 71.3 percent of baccalaureate graduates and 76 percent of master's graduates were in substantial educational loan debt. In 2021, the average loan debt was approximately $26,500 for a baccalaureate graduate, $48,000 for a master's graduate, and $135,000 for a doctorate graduate. The student loan debt burden carried by social workers is further compounded by the low salaries and compensation afforded to this segment of the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a social worker's median salary is only $50,390. Failure to address the student loan crisis faced by social workers will continue to economically harm those in practice and dissuade prospective social workers from entering the field. This resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to work together to establish initiatives, such as creating scholarships and loan redemption programs, that invest in the education of students seeking to obtain baccalaureate and graduate degrees in social work in order to incentivize the career and ensure that the State has a qualified and educated workforce. | In Committee |
| A4267 | Establishes civil action for abuse, neglect, exploitation or bullying of minor or adult with disability; provides that bullying of vulnerable adult may constitute grounds for investigation by adult protective services and report to law enforcement. | This bill provides for a specific civil action by a disabled minor or disabled adult for injury resulting from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or bullying. The bill's definition of "disability" is the same as the definition set forth in the Law Against Discrimination, P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.): "physical or sensory disability, infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement which is caused by bodily injury, birth defect, or illness including epilepsy and other seizure disorders, and which shall include, but not be limited to, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impairment, deafness or hearing impairment, muteness or speech impairment, or physical reliance on a service or guide dog, wheelchair, or other remedial appliance or device, or any mental, psychological, or developmental disability, including autism spectrum disorders, resulting from anatomical, psychological, physiological, or neurological conditions which prevents the typical exercise of any bodily or mental functions or is demonstrable, medically or psychologically, by accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques. Disability shall also mean AIDS or HIV infection." Under the bill, every civil action for an injury to a minor with a disability under the age of 18 where such injury resulted from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or bullying and the injury occurred prior to, on, or after the effective date of the bill would be required to be commenced within 37 years after the minor reaches the age of majority, or within seven years from the date of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act, whichever is later. The bill provides that every civil action for an injury to an adult with a disability aged 18 or older where such injury resulted from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or bullying that occurred prior to, on, or after the effective date of the bill would be required to be commenced within seven years from the date of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act. The bill also provides that the bullying of a "vulnerable adult" may constitute grounds for an investigation by adult protective services and a report to law enforcement for possible criminal prosecution. Under the "Adult Protective Services Act," P.L.1993, c.249 (C.52:27D-406 et seq.), a health care professional, law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic or emergency medical technician who has reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation must report the information to the county adult protective services provider. Other persons with such reasonable cause may report the information. The act defines a "vulnerable adult" as "a person 18 years of age or older who resides in a community setting and who, because of a physical or mental illness, disability or deficiency, lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate, or carry out decisions concerning his well-being and is the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation." Under the Adult Protective Services Act, the county adult protective services provider must initiate an investigation within 72 hours of a report. If necessary, the provider may petition a court for an order to conduct the investigation. If the provider finds reasonable cause to believe that the vulnerable adult has been the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation, the provider will determine the need for protective services and arrange for such services. The director of a county adult services provider may petition for a court order for services if he determines that the vulnerable adult will incur a substantial risk of physical harm or deterioration without protective services, and the adult refuses or is unable to consent. The act further provides that if the county director or his designee has reasonable cause to believe that a caretaker or other person has committed a criminal act against a vulnerable adult, the director must immediately report the information to local law enforcement officials or the county prosecutor. This bill would add bullying of a vulnerable adult as grounds for an investigation and report. The bill defines "bullying" as "any gesture, any written, verbal, or physical act, or any electronic communication that causes a reasonable person to fear for his safety or fear damage to his property." Under the bill, health care providers and first responders would be required to report bullying, in addition to abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and other persons could report such acts. In addition, the bill adds to the specific criminal acts that the county director is required to report to law enforcement or the prosecutor a violation of section 1 of P.L.2015, c.186 (C.2C:24-7.1), Endangering Another Person. Under this statute, creating a risk of injury to another person is a criminal offense ranging from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the third degree, depending on the offender's criminal culpability and the degree of risk of injury to the victim. If the offense is committed against a person with a developmental disability, the criminal penalties are increased by one degree, so that they range from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the second degree. A crime of the second degree is generally punishable by a term of five to 10 years or a fine up to $150,000, or both; a crime of the third degree, by a term of three to five years or a fine up to $15,000, or both; and a crime of the fourth degree, by a term up to 18 months or a fine up to $10,000, or both. A disorderly persons offense is generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. | In Committee |
| A4268 | Requires landlords to disclose existence of lead service lines and lead water supply plumbing to tenants. | This bill would require landlords to disclose the existence of lead service lines and lead water supply plumbing to tenants. The bill would also require, within 90 days after the bill is enacted into law, a landlord inspect a rental property to determine if the property is served by a lead service line or lead water supply plumbing. A landlord who violates the provisions of this bill would be subject to a penalty of not more than $500 for each offense. | In Committee |
| AR134 | Urges United States Congress to renew funding for Affordable Connectivity Program. | This resolution urges the Congress of the United States to renew funding for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Millions of Americans are without access to broadband Internet services. As a result, these individuals struggle to improve social outcomes through education, achieve upward economic mobility, gain digital literacy skills, and receive quality healthcare. In 2021, to close the digital divide, the FCC launched the ACP, which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. In addition, the program offers a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers, under specific circumstances, for eligible households. Currently, over 20 million households receive broadband benefits through the ACP. In New Jersey, as of January 2024, 335,079 households are enrolled in the program. Specifically, New Jersey has received nearly $152 million in ACP funding, resulting in $8.3 million per month in collective cost savings on broadband Internet services for all New Jersey households enrolled in the program. However, the ACP is slated to expire in April 2024 when the program is scheduled to exhaust its $14.2 billion budget. To improve broadband access for millions of Americans, and thereby advance social, economic, and health outcomes for the underserved, Congress is respectfully urged to renew funding for the ACP. | In Committee |
| A4264 | Establishes student-athlete mental health specialists in school districts and public institutions of higher education; creates student-athlete mental health registry; makes appropriation. | This bill requires the appointment of student-athlete mental health specialists at public school districts and public institutions of higher education. Under the bill, a school district that is a voluntary member of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) is required to appoint a student-athlete mental health specialist. A school district may appoint a school guidance counselor, school psychologist, or another individual similarly trained that is already employed by the district if the individual is a State-licensed or State-certified mental health professional. A school district also has an option under the bill to hire a State-licensed or State-certified mental health professional to fill this position. A person appointed to the student-athlete mental health specialist position is required to obtain certification in Mental Health First Aid and complete the "Student-Athlete Mental Health Specialist Certification" every two years. The bill requires the Department of Education to develop the certification program. Similarly, a public institution of higher education is required to appoint two student-athlete mental health specialists with individuals that are State-certified or State-licensed mental health professionals. A student-athlete mental health specialist at a public institution of higher education is also required to obtain certification in Mental Health First Aid and complete the "Student-Athlete Mental Health Specialist Certification" from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education every two years. The secretary is required to develop the certification program. Under the bill, the student-athlete mental health specialist is required to screen each student-athlete, provide mental health support to student-athletes, and monitor the impact of sports-related injuries on student-athletes' mental health. At public institutions of higher education, the two student-athlete mental health specialists are also required to be easily accessible to student-athletes during the academic year and have on-campus offices. A student-athlete in high school or attending a public institution of higher education has the option to waive the screening requirement by submitting a written statement to the student-athlete mental health specialist. However, if the student-athlete refuses the screening but does not submit a written statement, the student-athlete will be prohibited from participating in the organized sport. Additionally, a student-athlete mental health specialist, at both the high school and college levels, is responsible for the creation of a student-athlete mental health policy that: 1) recognizes the symptoms of mental health disorders that may affect student-athletes; 2) establishes mental health screening tools; 3) provides guidance on techniques for reducing stressors; 4) establishes protocols for non-emergent mental health referrals and emergent mental health situations; 5) creates a plan for transition care for students-athletes that leave the program; and 6) lists additional mental health resources and organizations that a student-athlete can consult for additional services. Under the bill, the department is required to establish a central registry of the aggregated screening data collected by a student-athlete mental health specialist for student-athletes in each school district. The secretary is required to create and maintain a similar registry from the aggregate data collected for student-athletes at public institutions of higher education. The purpose of these registries are to determine the stressors, rates, patterns, and trends of mental health disorders in student-athletes in order to develop evidence-based detection, prevention, and intervention protocols. The bill stipulates that, in establishing both registries, the department and secretary are required to ensure that any student identifying information remains confidential. Under the bill, student-athlete mental health specialists are not subject to liability for exercising their judgment or discretion in connection with the performance of their duties or for any good faith act or omission related to the requirements set forth in the bill. Finally, the bill makes an appropriation from the General Fund to the department for the costs of implementing the provisions affecting high school student-athletes and to the secretary for the costs associated with implementing the provisions affecting college-aged student-athletes. The student-athlete mental health specialist position is created at the high school and college levels to improve student-athlete mental wellness. It is the intent of this bill to address mental health issues that affect high school and college student-athletes. Studies have indicated that student-athletes are less likely than their non-athlete peers to seek counseling and other professional help services. This bill seeks to remove the stigma of seeking mental health services by requiring the student-athlete mental health specialist to routinely meet with student-athletes, provide mental health support to student-athletes, and monitor the impact of sports-related injuries on student-athletes' mental health. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| A4121 | Eliminates high school graduation proficiency test. | This bill eliminates the high school graduation proficiency test, which is required under current law to be taken in the 11th grade. It is the belief of the sponsor that graduation exit testing does not accurately represent student learning or career and college readiness. Studies have shown numerous flaws with standardized testing, including variation in student performance based on external circumstances, strong racial and socioeconomic biases, and inconsistency with material taught in class. The purpose of using standardized tests as graduation requirements is often to assess college readiness, however studies have shown that other metrics, such as grade point average, can predict the likelihood of graduation from college up to five times better than standardized test scores. In recent years, many states have eliminated graduation exit testing for these reasons, and currently only 11 states still maintain a testing requirement for high school graduation. The bill prohibits the State Board of Education from including in the standards for graduation from high school a requirement that students achieve satisfactory performance on the Statewide graduation proficiency test. The bill also amends current law to remove various references to the graduation proficiency test, including: the requirement that a Statewide proficiency test be included in the State or district standards for graduation from high school; the requirement that an out-of-school youth or adult age 18 or older pass the graduation proficiency test before being granted a State endorsed diploma; the requirement that school district report cards include information regarding the results of the graduation proficiency test; and the requirement that renaissance school projects be evaluated based on students' performance on the graduation proficiency test. The bill clarifies that a student participating in the State Seal of Biliteracy program would not be required to take a State graduation proficiency test as a condition of graduation from high school. Finally, the bill repeals the section of law that requires the State to administer a graduation proficiency test to all 11th grade students and certain 12th grade students, and repeals the section of law that requires the Commissioner of Education to consult with educators, parents, students, business and community representatives, and members of minority groups while developing the graduation proficiency test. The bill also repeals sections of law requiring the commissioner and the Joint Committee on the Public Schools to review and report on performance on the graduation proficiency test. | In Committee |
| A3413 | Establishes New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force; clarifies collection of student growth data. | Establishes New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force; clarifies collection of student growth data. | In Committee |
| A920 | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | In Committee |
| A3993 | Requires use of helmets when operating or riding upon electric bicycle or electric scooter. | This bill requires a person operating or riding upon a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter to wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. A person who violates the provisions of the bill is to be fined a maximum of $25 for a first offense and a maximum of $100 for any subsequent offense. | 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 |
| A3991 | Directs State Board of Education to authorize general science endorsement to instructional certificate. | This bill directs the State Board of Education to authorize the issuance of a general science endorsement to an instructional certificate. The endorsement authorizes the holder to teach any science course in grades nine through 12. The bill defines "instructional certificate" as a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate. The bill requires a candidate seeking an instructional certificate with a general science endorsement to: (1) possess a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or a related field; (2) achieve a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0, or its equivalent; (3) pass a Commissioner of Education-approved basic skills test; (4) pass a commissioner-approved subject matter test, if applicable, and (5) meet any other requirements as established by the commissioner. Under the bill, a teacher who currently holds a biological science, chemistry, earth science, physical science, or physics endorsement to an instructional certificate may apply for an instructional certificate with a general science endorsement provided the teacher meets the requirements set forth in the bill. | In Committee |
| AJR156 | Establishes the "Williams and Amenhotep New Jersey Task Force on Missing Persons." | This bill establishes the "Williams and Amenhotep New Jersey Task Force on Missing Persons" to (1) review best practices for investigating reports of missing persons; (2) examine on a Statewide basis the current law enforcement response to reports of missing children by law enforcement agencies; and (3) determine whether the practices of State and local law enforcement agencies require any changes to conform to best practices. The task force membership would include: (1) the Attorney General, ex officio, or a designee: (2) the Commissioner of Children and Families, ex officio, or a designee; (3) the Commissioner of Human Services, ex officio, or a designee; (4) one member of the Missing Person's Unit of the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety, designated by the Attorney General; (5) one member of the New Jersey Human Trafficking Task Force established within the Department of Law and Public Safety, designated by the Attorney General; (6) two public members appointed by the Governor representing a local law enforcement agency, one each based upon the recommendation of the Senate President and the Senate Minority Leader; (7) one public member appointed by the Governor representing a child advocacy organization concerning missing, abducted, or exploited children, based upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly; and (8) one public member appointed by the Governor representing an organization concerning missing or trafficked persons, based upon the recommendation of the General Assembly Minority Leader. The bill provides that within 12 months after the task force's organizational meeting, it would be required to submit a written report to the Governor and to the Legislature. The report is to contain the task force's findings on best practices and the current law enforcement response to reports of missing persons in the State, and any recommendations for legislative or other action. Under the bill, the task force would dissolve three months after submitting the report. The task force is named in honor of two missing young people: Sanaa Amenhotep the 15 year-old daughter of a New Jersey resident who went missing in Columbia, South Carolina and whose body was found three weeks later; and Yasir Williams, a 21 year-old Rutgers University student from East Orange, New Jersey whose body was found in a park pond in Orange, New Jersey two weeks after he went missing. | In Committee |
| A3987 | Establishes optional special needs training program for professional and shop licensees of New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. | This bill establishes a training program for cosmetology and hairstyling licensees to receive instruction and training in how to work with individuals with special needs, including individuals with sensory processing disorder. Under the bill, any person who holds a license to practice cosmetology and hairstyling, hair braiding, barbering, beauty culture, manicuring, or skin care specialty in the State may undertake the training program. In addition, the bill establishes a certification for shops and mobile shops licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (the board) to indicate that the shop is "friendly to individuals with special needs." The board is to prescribe regulations concerning the requirements for an application for certification pursuant to the bill, which requirements are to include, at a minimum, satisfactory evidence that at least one half of the practicing licensee employed by the shop have completed the training program established pursuant to the bill. Upon completion of a satisfactory application to the board, a shop is to be issued a sign indicating that the shop is "friendly to individuals with special needs." The bill requires the board to collaborate with educational and community organizations, as designated by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, to establish criteria and standards for training for practicing licensees and certification for shop licensees. | In Committee |
| A3989 | Revises public institution of higher education annual reporting requirements. | This bill revises the annual reporting requirements of public institutions of higher education. Under current law, a public institution of higher education is required to prepare and make available to the public an annual report on the condition of the institution. Under current law, the report is to include a profile of the student body including graduation rates, SAT or other test scores, the percentage of New Jersey residents in the student body, the number of scholarship students, and the number of Educational Opportunity Fund students in attendance. This bill revises the law to require the report also include information on retention rates, the number of applicants to the institution, and acceptance rates as part of the report on the profile of the student body. Additionally, the bill requires all information included as part of the profile of the student body be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, family income, and first-generation status as available. This bill also requires a public institution of higher education to utilize the data collected on the profile of the student body for the annual report to evaluate the diversity of the institution and inform admissions policies. Finally, the bill requires each institution to use this data to improve equity initiatives and determine resource allocation that promotes diversity and inclusion. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A3978 | Establishes "Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment Best Practices Task Force." | This bill establishes the "Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment Best Practices Task Force." The purpose of the task force is to: 1) determine whether an existing government body or a new agency should be established to oversee the substance use disorder system of care; 2) make recommendations on how to improve the current substance use disorder system of care; 3) develop and implement best practices for owners and operators of outpatient treatment centers and sober homes; and 4) make recommendations on how the State should regulate dual ownership of outpatient treatment centers and sober homes. The task force is to consist of 12 members as follows: one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, who is to serve as co-chairperson; one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Assembly Minority Leader; one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, who is to serve as co-chairperson; one member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; the Commissioner of Health or the commissioner's designee, who is to serve ex officio; the Director of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) or the director's designee, who is to serve ex officio; and six public members, who are to be appointed by the Governor, as follows: one peer recovery specialist, certified by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey; one peer recovery support specialist, certified by the Association for Addiction Professionals; one member who is in a management position at an outpatient treatment center; one member who is in a management position at a sober home; one member who is the owner of an outpatient treatment center; and one member who is the owner of sober home. The task force will present a report of its findings to the Governor and to the Legislature no later than two years after the organization of the task force. The task force will expire 30 days after the issuance of its report. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A3760 | "Medical Debt Homestead Protection Act." | This bill establishes the "Medical Debt Homestead Protection Act." Under the bill, any person aged 18 or over, married or single, who resides within the State may hold as a homestead exempt from attachment, execution, and forced sale, as result of a judgement obtained for the payment and satisfaction of a medical debt, any one of the following: an interest in real property upon which exists a dwelling house in which the person resides; an interest in a condominium or cooperative in which the person resides; or a manufactured home, including the land on which the manufactured home is situated. Only one homestead exemption at a time may be held by a person under the bill. | In Committee |
| AJR146 | Urges Congress enact legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C. | This joint resolution urges Congress to enact legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C. Residents of the District of Columbia share all the responsibilities of United States citizenship, including paying more federal taxes than residents of 22 states, serving on federal juries, and defending the United States as members of the United States Armed Forces, yet they are denied full representation in Congress. The residents of the District of Columbia themselves have endorsed statehood. In 2016, a referendum was passed favoring statehood by 86 percent. | In Committee |
| A3808 | "Used Car Buyers' Bill of Rights"; prohibits certain "as is" sales of used motor vehicles. | This bill, designated the "Used Car Buyers' Bill of Rights," prohibits "as is" sales of used motor vehicles to consumers, requires dealers to offer contract cancellation option agreements for certain used vehicles, and establishes additional requirements for dealers selling used vehicles. The bill does not apply to transactions between private parties or the sale of used motorcycles, motor homes, or off-road vehicles. The bill makes it an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act for a dealer to sell to a consumer a used vehicle deemed to be "certified" or any other similar descriptive term that implies the vehicle complies with the terms of a used motor vehicle certification program if: the dealer knows or should know that the odometer is inaccurate; the dealer knows or should know that the vehicle was reacquired by a manufacturer or dealer pursuant to state or federal warranty laws; the title to the vehicle is inscribed with the notation "flood," "junk," "Lemon Law Buyback," "manufacturer repurchase," "nonrepairable," "salvage," or another similar title designation; the vehicle sustained damage in an impact, fire, or flood which substantially impairs its use or safety; the dealer knows or should know that the vehicle sustained frame damage which, after repair prior to sale, substantially impairs the use or safety of the vehicle; prior to sale, the dealer fails to provide a consumer with a completed inspection report indicating all the components were inspected; the dealer disclaims any warranties of merchantability on the vehicle; or the term "certified," or any other similar descriptive term, is used in a manner that is untrue or misleading. The bill requires that a dealer offer a consumer a contract cancellation option agreement that allows the consumer to return the used motor vehicle, without cause, if the used motor vehicle has a purchase price of less than $40,000. The contract cancellation option agreement gives the consumer the right to cancel the contract and obtain a refund. The bill sets forth the information to be contained in any contract cancellation option agreement, including the deadline for exercising the cancellation option and returning the vehicle to the dealer, the maximum mileage the vehicle may be driven, which could not be less than 250 miles, and any restocking fee. A dealer would be required to apply toward the restocking fee the price paid by the consumer for the contract cancellation option agreement. A dealer also is required to give notice at its business location and in the contract for the used motor vehicle that there is no cancellation period, sometimes referred to as a "cooling-off" period, unless a consumer obtains a contract cancellation option. Under the bill, the requirement that a dealer offer a contract cancellation option to a consumer does not apply to total loss or salvage vehicles. The bill provides that the fee for the contract cancellation option agreement is not to exceed the following: (1) $75 for a used motor vehicle with a cash price of $5,000 or less; (2) $150 for a used motor vehicle with a cash price of between $5,000.01 and $10,000; (3) $250 for a used motor vehicle with a cash price of between $10,000.01 and $30,000; or (4) one percent of the purchase price for a used motor vehicle with a cash price of $30,000.01 to $40,000. Under the bill, after a consumer exercises the right to cancel a contract under the agreement, no later than three business days for a used motor vehicle purchased by cash, credit or debit card, or bank loan, or 10 business days for a used motor vehicle purchased by check, the dealer is required to cancel the contract and provide the consumer with a refund, including the appropriate portion of the sales tax or other fees paid. In addition, within three business days, a dealer would be required to return to the consumer any used vehicle the consumer conveyed to the dealer as a down payment or trade-in. If the dealer sold or otherwise transferred title to that used vehicle, the refund would include the fair market value of that used vehicle or its value as stated in the contract, whichever is greater. Currently, P.L.1995, c.373 (C.56:8-67 et seq.) sets forth minimum warranty requirements when a dealer sells to a consumer a used vehicle. Under current law, in the event that a used motor vehicle is sold "as is," it is an unlawful practice for a dealer to fail to provide a clear written explanation, prior to sale, of what is meant by the term "as is." The bill amends current law to make it an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act for a dealer to sell a consumer a used vehicle "as is," i.e., without any warranty. The bill eliminates the existing ability of a dealer to sell a consumer a used vehicle "as is" as a result of negotiating a lower price in exchange for waiving the dealer's obligation to provide a warranty. The bill revises the mileage requirements under the dealer's required written warranty. If the motor vehicle has less than 40,000 miles, the warranty would be 90 days or 3,750 miles, whichever comes first. If the motor vehicle has 40,000 miles or more, but less than 80,000 miles, the warranty would be 60 days or 2,500 miles, whichever comes first. If the used motor vehicle has 80,000 miles or more, but less than 125,000 miles, the warranty would be 30 days or 1,250 miles, whichever comes first. If the used motor vehicle has 125,000 miles or more, a consumer would be entitled to any implied warranties created by law. Under the bill, a dealer may sell a used motor vehicle "as is" and is not required to provide a written warranty to a consumer if the used motor vehicle has been issued a salvage certificate of title by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission or declared a total loss by an insurance company, of if the used motor vehicle has been reported as a salvage vehicle or as a total loss in a National Motor Vehicle Title Information System history report. An unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. Additionally, violations may result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. | In Committee |
| A3570 | Imposes minimum staffing requirements and certain reporting requirements on certain long-term care facilities. | This bill imposes minimum staffing requirements and certain reporting requirements on certain long-term care facilities. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health (commissioner) is to establish a training program for health care providers in licensed long-term health care facilities that provide specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease, which is to include training on memory care therapy. Under the bill, the commissioner is to establish a minimum number of staff to be employed by a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, which staff is to be trained in providing care to patients with Alzheimer's disease. At least one staff member trained in memory care is to be present at all times in a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The commissioner is to require a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to annually certify compliance with memory care practices, which is to include enrichment activities for patients, under standards promulgated by the commissioner. Under the bill, the commissioner is to contract with a third-party to review and track the antipsychotic drug administration practices of long-term care facilities to determine if those facilities excessively prescribe antipsychotic medication to patients with Alzheimer's disease in a manner that is harmful to those patients, as determined by a consensus of physicians with expertise in the administration of antipsychotic medication and Alzheimer's disease. The commissioner is to create a publicly available report summarizing data collected on the usage of antipsychotic medication by long-term care facilities and issue a plan for corrective action to a long-term care facility that is deemed to excessively prescribe antipsychotic medication to patients with Alzheimer's disease in a manner that is harmful to those patients. The bill provides that a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders is to provide an annual report to the Department of Health containing data on the administration of antipsychotic mediation to patients with Alzheimer's disease, as determined by the department. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A3531 | Eliminates fee for re-issuance of motor vehicle title following loan payoff. | This bill prohibits the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission from charging a title fee to individuals who have paid off their car loans for the re-issuance of a title without a lienholder noted on it. | In Committee |
| AJR106 | Establishes task force on missing women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. | This joint resolution establishes a task force on missing women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. The Centers for Disease Control has reported that murder is the third-leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native women. Additionally, in a 2020 report by the Women's Media Center, it was reported there are approximately 64,000-75,000 missing Black women and girls across the United States. Cases involving BIPOC women and girls often are under-reported, do not receive the required level of attention by the media or law enforcement, and are categorized improperly by law enforcement officials. The systemic racism, sexism, and suppression experienced by BIPOC women and girls leads to worse health, wealth, housing, education, and employment outcomes. Furthermore, there is no comprehensive database regarding missing and murdered BIPOC women and girls. Creation of the task force on missing BIPOC women and girls will address these inequities. The task force will be responsible for: (1) developing policy recommendations to ensure first responders are culturally competent regarding the severity and impact of missing and murdered BIPOC women and girls on the communities and families affected; (2) developing training and education materials for BIPOC communities on methods of prevention and protection and social media protocols relating to missing BIPOC women and girls, and disseminating the materials in high-impact communities within the State; (3) developing strategies and recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General to collect statistics, demographics, surveys, and oral histories; conduct data analysis; and issue guidelines to ensure de-identified data is publicly available; (4) identifying traffic hubs, highways, and resource extraction sites that lead to or facilitate the abduction of BIPOC women and girls; and (5) creating a State-wide public awareness campaign. The task force will be comprised of 15 members, as follows:· the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · the Commissioner of the Department of Health or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · the Superintendent of State Police or the superintendent's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice or the director's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · two members to be appointed by the President of the Senate; · two members to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; · two members to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; · two members to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly; and · two members to be appointed by the Governor. | In Committee |
| A3359 | Requires low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be registered with MVC and to be insured. | This bill requires low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and to be insured. The bill prohibits the operation of a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter unless the low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter is registered by the owner thereof. The bill authorizes the MVC to grant a registration certificate to the owner of a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter, provided that the application for registration has been properly submitted, the registration fee has been paid, and the low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter is of a type approved by the MVC. The bill provides that the registration expires on the last day of the 11th calendar month following the calendar month in which the certificate was issued. The bill requires the owner or registered owner of a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter registered or principally garaged in this State to maintain liability insurance coverage, personal injury protection coverage for pedestrians, and uninsured motorist coverage. | In Committee |
| A3003 | Establishes electronic lien and titling system for New Jersey motor vehicles. | This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to complete a study within 60 days of the bill's enactment to determine whether it has the resources and capability to establish and implement, within 12 months of the bill's enactment, an electronic lien and title system to process and administer, in a cost-effective manner, the notification, recording, and release of security interests and titling information by the lienholders of motor vehicles in lieu of the current paper-based system. If the MVC determines it has the resources and capability to establish and implement the system, it is to establish and implement the system within 12 months of the bill's enactment. If the MVC determines it does not have the resources and capability to establish and implement the system, the MVC is required to contract with a qualified bidder to establish and implement the system for the State. The contract is to be offered, advertised, and awarded in accordance with the State public contracts law. In addition, the bill specifies that the contract is to:(1) be for a term of not less than seven years;(2) be a no-cost contract, ensuring that the MVC is assessed no charges by the successful bidder for establishing and implementing the electronic lien and titling system and that the successful bidder is obligated to reimburse the MVC for all reasonable costs directly associated with the establishment and implementation of the system; and(3) permit the successful bidder to charge participating lienholders and their agents reasonable fees. Further, the bill requires contract applicants to have a demonstrated history of directly providing both electronic lien services to state motor vehicle departments or agencies and electronic lien software and services to lienholders. The bill mandates that within one year of the date upon which the electronic lien and titling system becomes operational, all lienholders in New Jersey are required to participate in the system, except individuals and those lienholders who are not normally engaged in the business of financing motor vehicles and who are administratively exempted by the Chief Administrator of the MVC. | In Committee |
| A2000 | Increases penalties imposed on juveniles and adults convicted of motor vehicle theft and related crimes. | This bill increases the penalties imposed on juveniles and adults convicted of motor vehicle theft and related crimes. The bill specifically provides that a person convicted of a first offense of theft of a motor vehicle would be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 180 days without eligibility for parole. A person convicted of a second or subsequent offense would be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year without eligibility for parole. The court may also require a person to pay monetary restitution to any person or entity who has suffered loss resulting from personal injuries or damage to property as a result of the offense. A juvenile adjudicated delinquent for an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute the crime of theft of a motor vehicle, or the crime of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle (joy riding) and operating it in a manner that creates a risk of injury or risk of property damage would be sentenced to incarceration for a term of 30 days for a first offense. For a second offense, the juvenile would be sentenced to incarceration for a term of 60 days followed by a period of time in a nonresidential program operated by a public or private agency. For a third or subsequent offense, the juvenile would be sentenced to incarceration for a term of six months, followed by a period of time in a nonresidential program. If the juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent for an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute the crime of entering and riding in a motor vehicle knowing that the motor vehicle has been taken or is being operated without the consent of the owner, the court would order the juvenile incarcerated for a term of 10 days, followed by a term of community service for at least 30 days. Under current law, the court may require a juvenile to make restitution to a person or entity who has suffered loss resulting from personal injuries or damage to property as a result of the offense for which the juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent. Under the bill, the court would not be permitted to order a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent for an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute the crime of theft of a motor vehicle, the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, or joyriding to pay restitution. Finally, the provisions of the bill provide that any person who is at least 18 years of age who knowingly uses, solicits, directs, hires, or employs a person 17 years of age or younger to commit theft of a motor vehicle, the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, or joyriding is to be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of between six months and one year for a first offense, and not less than five years for a second or subsequent offense. According to New Jersey officials, as of May 2022 car thefts have increased 37% compared to 2021 and 53% compared to 2020. There were 14,320 vehicles stolen in New Jersey in 2021. Nationally, the National Insurance Crime Bureau has reported an "unprecedented" rise in car thefts and carjackings in recent years, increasing by 16.5% across the country in 2021 compared to 2019 and nearly 29% compared to 2017. In the view of the sponsor, the increasing numbers of car thefts have had many negative impacts on the community, ranging from an increased fear of crime to the loss of transportation when a vehicle is stolen and costs for car insurance. | In Committee |
| A2427 | Prohibits use of education, occupation, and credit score as rating factors in automobile insurance underwriting. | This bill prohibits automobile insurers from assigning an insured or prospective insured to a rating tier based upon that person's: (1) educational level; (2) employment, trade, business, occupation or profession; or (3) credit score, or any information derived from an insured's credit report. The bill also prohibits automobile insurers from inquiring of an insured or applicant for insurance, or of a third-party concerning an insured or applicant, as to these factors. | In Committee |
| A2011 | Prohibits towing companies from requiring owners of stolen motor vehicles to pay fee to release vehicles from storage facilities under certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits towing companies from requiring the owner of a stolen motor vehicle to pay a fee to release the vehicle from a storage facility. With the rise of motor vehicle thefts in the State, every effort should be made to assist owners in recovering their stolen vehicles. Unfortunately, owners facing a financial hardship cannot pay for the release of a recovered vehicle from a towing company's storage facility because they cannot afford the fee charged by the towing company. Under this bill, the "Predatory Towing Prevention Act" is amended to prohibit a towing company from charging this fee to the owner of a stolen motor vehicle so long as the owner provides a copy of the stolen vehicle police report to the towing company. If the owner of a stolen motor vehicle has been contacted by law enforcement regarding the recovery of the owner's vehicle, the owner of the recovered vehicle will have 72 hours to retrieve the vehicle from a storage facility without incurring a direct fee. If 72 hours have passed and the owner of the recovered vehicle has not retrieved the vehicle, the towing company may charge the owner a fee for the days the vehicle has been kept at the storage facility beyond the 72-hour period. Notwithstanding any fee incurred by the 72-hour requirement, any fee to release the recovered vehicle from a storage facility will be paid by the insurance carrier insuring the vehicle or, if the vehicle is not insured, by the State Motor Vehicle Commission. The insurance carrier of the recovered vehicle may pay the fee to release the recovered vehicle directly to the towing company or may reimburse the vehicle owner for the cost. | In Committee |
| A1915 | Allows parents or legal custodians separated from their children because of immigration matters to appoint standby guardians. | This bill allows a parent or legal custodian who has been separated from their child as a result of a federal immigration matter to appoint a standby guardian. Specifically, the bill amends P.L.1995, c.76 (C.3B:12-64 et seq.) to allow the parent or legal custodian to petition the court for the appointment of a standby guardian of a child or to allow the other parent or legal guardian to designate in writing a standby guardian, under specific circumstances, if the parent or custodian is subject to an administrative separation. Currently, a parent or legal custodian can petition the court for the appointment of a standby guardian, and the court may appoint the standby guardian, or another parent or custodian may designate in writing a standby guardian, if the triggering event requiring the appointment is death, incapacity, or debilitation and there is significant risk that the parent or custodian will die, become incapacitated, or become debilitated as a result of a progressive chronic condition or a fatal illness. As used in the bill, "administrative separation" means the separation of a parent or legal custodian from the parent's or legal custodian's child as a result of a federal immigration matter, including, but not limited to, arrest, detention, incarceration, or removal, or receipt of official communication by federal, State, or local authorities responsible for immigration enforcement which gives reasonable notice that the care and supervision of the parent's or legal custodian's child will be interrupted or cannot be provided as the result of the parent's or custodian's impending arrest, detention, incarceration, or removal. Under the provisions of the bill, the petition would state that the triggering event, an impending administrative separation, occurred to require the appointment of a standby guardian and that there is significant risk that the parent or legal custodian will be the subject of such separation. However, the parent or custodian would not be required to submit documentation of an impending administrative separation. If the court finds that that there is a significant risk that the parent or legal guardian will be subject to an administrative separation, a standby guardian would be appointed. Current law does not recognize an administrative separation as a triggering event for the appointment of a standby guardian and does not allow a parent or legal custodian to petition the court for the appointment of a standby guardian, and the court to appoint such a guardian, if there is significant risk that the parent or legal custodian will be the subject to an administrative separation. As required under current law for standby guardians who are appointed due to death, incapacity, or debilitation, the bill stipulates that: if the triggering event that causes the appointment of a standby guardian is an administrative separation, the parent's or legal custodian's attorney or legal representative would provide a copy of a determination of administrative separation to the appointed standby guardian, if the guardian's identity is known to the parent's or custodian's attorney or legal representative; and the appointed standby guardian is required to petition the court, including a determination of administrative separation, within 60 days of assuming guardianship duties for confirmation of the appointment. As used in the bill, "determination of administrative separation" means a written determination by federal, state, or local authorities responsible for immigration enforcement regarding the nature, cause, and extent of the parent's or legal guardian's arrest, detention, incarceration, or removal. As mandated by the current law for standby guardians who are appointed due to death, incapacity, or debilitation, the bill also stipulates that if the consent of a child's parent or legal custodian for the execution of a power of attorney delegating another person to exercise the parent's or legal custodian's powers is not appropriate or is unavailable pursuant to N.J.S.3B:12-39, the other parent or legal custodian may execute a written statement to designate a standby guardian in the event of the designator's administrative separation. The written designation would identify the designator, the minor child, and the standby guardian. If the parent or legal custodian has been arrested, detained, incarcerated, or removed from the State as a result of an administrative separation, another person may sign the written designation on the parent's or legal custodian's behalf. | In Committee |
| A1066 | Revises conditions for use of virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement. | This bill permits a public school or an approved private school for students with disabilities (APSSD) to meet the 180-day school year requirement through the use of virtual or remote instruction when the school is required to close for one or more school days due to inclement weather or hazardous transportation conditions, or due to other certain emergencies specified by law. Pursuant to current law, a public school or APSSD may meet the 180-day requirement through the use of virtual or remote instruction only if the school or APSSD is required to close for more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency, a declared public health emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or officer to institute a public health-related closure. Current law does not permit a public school or APSSD to utilize virtual or remote instruction in the event that the school or APSSD is closed due to inclement weather or hazardous transportation conditions. Additionally, current law does not permit a public school or APSSD to utilize virtual or remote instruction in the event that the closure is for a single school day or for two consecutive school days. Under the provisions of this bill, a public school or APSSD is permitted to meet the 180-day school year requirement through the use of virtual or remote instruction when the school is required to close for one or more school days due to inclement weather or hazardous transportation conditions, a declared state of emergency, a declared public health emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or officer to institute a public health-related closure. | 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 |
| A1684 | Permits public high school students to opt out of physical education and sports programs during Ramadan. | This bill permits any public high school student who observes Ramadan to opt out of physical education class. Under the bill, a student can substitute the required physical education course with an instructional course or study hall for the duration of the marking period in which Ramadan falls. The bill requires the student to submit a written notice to the principal of the school prior to the school district creating schedules for the marking period. The instructional course or study hall is required to provide the student with graduation credits equal to the number received for completion of the physical education course. This bill does not exempt students from the statutory requirement that they attend at least two and one-half hours per school week of health and safety education courses, when these courses are scheduled. Additionally, this bill permits a student-athlete to be excused from participation in an interscholastic sports program, intramural sports program, or cheerleading program during Ramadan. In order to be excused, a student-athlete is required to submit a written notice to the coach of the athletic program. The bill stipulates that a coach cannot penalize a student-athlete for not participating during Ramadan. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. As one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting during the month of Ramadan is mandatory for all healthy adult Muslims. Children are not expected to fast until they reach puberty, usually around the age of 14. It is the intent of this bill to acknowledge Muslim students who observe Ramadan by providing less intense alternatives to physical activity while these students practice their religious beliefs by fasting. | In Committee |
| A834 | Eliminates conviction of indictable offense as automatic disqualifier for jury service under certain circumstances. | This bill would permit persons with past convictions of indictable offenses to serve on juries under certain circumstances. Under current law, these convictions, whether based on violations of New Jersey law, another state's law, or federal law, are automatic disqualifiers for jury service. Under the bill, a person would still be automatically disqualified for jury service if: (1) the person was ever convicted of murder or aggravated sexual assault; or (2) the person is serving a sentence of incarceration for an indictable offense under the laws of this State, another state, or the United States. | In Committee |
| A874 | Reinstates automatic COLA for retirement benefits of members of the State-administered retirement systems. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits under the "Pension Adjustment Act," P.L.1958, c.143 (C.43:3B-1 et seq.), for members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, the Judicial Retirement System, the Public Employees' Retirement System, the Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System. Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al), signed into law on June 28, 2011, cancelled the automatic, annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of these State-administered retirement systems. COLAs protect retirement benefits against erosion by inflation, the ills of which were addressed by the Legislature, both for the individual and the State, with the enactment of the "Pension Adjustment Act" in 1958. Without the annual adjustment, retirees and beneficiaries will gradually see significant reductions in their purchasing power. The loss of COLAs will impact their everyday lives, and, over time, make it harder to afford more necessary elements of living, such as out-of-pocket medical costs, groceries, and utility bills. Retirees and beneficiaries will find it more prudent, or perhaps necessary, to leave this State for other states with a comparably lower cost of living. For the State, such outbound migration will result in the loss of the economic activity of those retirees and beneficiaries, and any tax revenues concomitant with such activity. In addition, New Jersey's fiscal outlook may be further strained by the retirees and beneficiaries who remain. These persons will continue to slip further downward on the socioeconomic scale. In some cases, they will require, or at the least become eligible and utilize, greater levels of public assistance under the many taxpayer funded social programs administered by the State, counties, and municipalities, requiring more revenues to meet this increased demand. In the interests of the retirees and beneficiaries of the State-administered retirement systems, and the State, this bill reinstates the automatic COLAs for retirement benefits under the "Pension Adjustment Act." | In Committee |
| A1685 | Requires school districts to offer halal lunch options. | This bill requires each public school district at which at least five percent of the students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals to offer halal school lunch options. As defined in the bill, "halal" means food prepared pursuant to and maintained in strict compliance with the laws and customs of the Islamic religion. Under the bill, a school district's halal option is required to comply with the National School Lunch Program and all applicable State and federal nutritional mandates and food safety requirements. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the price of a halal lunch option is not to exceed the price of a comparable, non-halal school lunch option. | In Committee |
| A2347 | Requires MVC to issue electronic driver's licenses and identification cards upon request; allows operators of motor vehicles to display electronic driver's license. | This bill authorizes operators of motor vehicles to provide a driver's license electronically. The bill also authorizes the holder of or an applicant for a driver's license or identification card issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to request the issuance of an electronic driver's license or identification and requires the MVC to issue these electronic documents. The MVC may charge and collect a reasonable fee for the issuance of electronic driver's licenses and identification cards. The bill authorizes the Chief Administrator of the MVC to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the issuance, design, and content of electronic driver's licenses and electronic identification cards. The commission is authorized to deter and detect counterfeit or fraudulent electronic driver's licenses and identification cards and to provide for an electronic form for the display of driver's licenses and identification cards. | In Committee |
| A2111 | Exempts customer with account for electronic toll collection system, commonly known as E-ZPass, from certain fees if motor vehicle is stolen. | This bill exempts a customer who has an account with a New Jersey electronic toll collection system, commonly known as EZPass, and reports in a timely manner the theft of a motor vehicle containing the customer's electronic vehicle identification system transponder (transponder) from liability for: 1) unauthorized charges of $50 or more incurred prior to reporting the motor vehicle as stolen; or 2) unauthorized charges incurred after the reporting of the motor vehicle as stolen. The bill prohibits a customer who reports the theft of a motor vehicle containing the customer's transponder in a timely manner and submits to the operator a copy of the police report of the theft, from being charged any fees for the stolen transponder or for a replacement transponder. Under current law, a customer who has an E-ZPass account may only be exempt from unauthorized charges and the replacement fees for a transponder if the transponder is reported stolen or lost. The bill also defines "Electronic toll collection system" as the electronic system employed or utilized by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority or South Jersey Transportation Authority to register and collect the toll required to be paid for a vehicle entering a toll plaza owned or operated by, or upon the behalf of, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority or South Jersey Transportation Authority. | In Committee |
| A1986 | Prohibits issuance of warrant for failure to pay fines and fees associated with non-moving motor vehicle violation. | This bill prohibits the issuance of a warrant for failure to pay fines and fees associated with a non-moving motor vehicle violation. Specifically, under the provisions of this bill, a municipal court is prohibited from issuing a warrant for the arrest of a defendant for failure to pay fines and fees arising from a non-moving motor vehicle violation. Under the bill, a "non-moving motor vehicle violation" is defined as any violation of the motor vehicle laws of this State for which motor vehicle points are not assessed by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1982, c.43 (C.39:5-30.5). | In Committee |
| A3351 | Requires DHS and DOH to submit federal waivers to cover menstrual products under NJ FamilyCare, SNAP, WIC and establishes State funded benefit if federal waiver is denied; appropriates $2 million for State benefit. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Health to submit an application for a waiver or a state plan amendment to provide menstrual hygiene products among the covered benefits available for eligible recipients through the NJ FamilyCare program, the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill stipulates that, if the federal government denies the State's waiver application or state plan amendment, the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, is to establish a program to provide menstrual hygiene products to eligible beneficiaries, in a quantity and through a process determined to be equitable. Under the program, the Commissioner of Human Services would establish a process through which an eligible beneficiary would certify the number of menstruators in the beneficiary's household who are minors and who qualify for the menstrual hygiene products benefit. The bill additionally requires the Commissioner of Human Services to consult and coordinate with the Commissioner of Health on the establishment of an educational and public awareness campaign to inform the public about the provisions of bill and to ensure that eligible recipients of the public assistance programs covered under the bill are aware of the new benefits made available to them, and to post the information provided through the campaign on each of the departments' Internet sites. The bill appropriates $2 million to the Department of Health for the menstrual hygiene products benefit. The provisions of the bill will take effect upon any federal determination regarding the waiver application or state plan amendment submitted by the State, and the acceptance of any federal approval by the Departments of Human Services and Health; however, the departments are authorized to take any anticipatory action in advance of the federal determination as may be necessary to implement the requirements under the bill. As defined in the bill, "menstrual hygiene products" means tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins, and other similar products designed for a person's hygiene in connection with the human menstrual cycle. | In Committee |
| A1993 | Concerns collection of data relating to Haitian migrants in NJ. | This bill directs the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services to collect manage the collection of data on Haitian migrants in New Jersey, no matter their documentation status, from various sources such as federal, State, and local governments, and non-profit organizations. Haitian migrants in New Jersey have fled political unrest and financial trouble to live a safe and prosperous life in this State. Their journeys, whether they be by boat or on foot, are long and dangerous, sometimes leading to injury or death. New Jersey has the fourth largest Haitian-American population in the United States, as about 69,000 Haitian-Americans live in this State. As some of the Haitian migrants living in New Jersey are undocumented, it is difficult to know how many need assistance. Collecting data on Haitian migrants living in New Jersey, no matter their documentation status, will allow the State to help them more efficiently. This bill would take effect on the 60th day following enactment. | In Committee |
| A1680 | Vacant Storefront Registry Program; establishes public database of vacant commercial space for small businesses. | This bill requires the NJ Business Action Center (center), which is in the Department of State, to establish and maintain a public database of vacant commercial space available for purchase or lease by small businesses in this State. The database will include information such as: the square footage of any vacant commercial space; the capital equipment included in any vacant commercial space; and the building systems installed in any vacant commercial space, including, but not limited to, fire alarms, fire suppression systems, security systems, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Under the bill, the center is required, using information provided by commercial property owners, realtors, and municipalities in the State, to update the database on a monthly basis with new information concerning the availability of vacant commercial space. The bill requires the center to make the database available through its Internet web page and to publicize the availability of the database as part of an awareness campaign targeted at business associations, state and local chambers of commerce, and municipalities in the State. Under the bill, the Secretary of State is to require every owner of a commercial property in the State to notify, as necessary, the center when a commercial property belonging to such an owner becomes vacant, if no person or entity is presently scheduled to lease or purchase the property, or when such a property becomes occupied. For many industries, commercial space is often one of the most costly barriers to entry. The expense is compounded by the time dedicated to locating storefronts that are well-suited and appropriate for the needs of a business. The creation of a public database of vacant commercial space will expedite this process and help fill vacancies quickly. | In Committee |
| A1381 | Requires disclosure of data recording devices in motor vehicles; limits access to recorded data. | This bill would require the disclosure of data recording devices, such as event data recorders, in motor vehicles, and further limit access to recorded data. Specifically, at least six months after the bill's effective date and upon introduction of a new model year motor vehicle, a manufacturer of a new motor vehicle that is equipped with a recording device must disclose that fact in or along with the owner's manual for the vehicle. Any subscription service for a motor vehicle equipped with a recording device that is capable of recording vehicle location data, or information concerning a crash in which the motor vehicle has been involved that is transmitted to a central communications system, must also disclose that such information may be recorded or transmitted. Section 3 of the bill provides that recorded data may only be accessed by the motor vehicle owner, or with the consent of the motor vehicle owner or the owner's agent or legal representative, except: (1) if the owner of the motor vehicle or the owner's agent or legal representative has a contract with a third-party subscription service that requires access to a recording device or recorded data in order to perform the contract, so long as the subscription service contract includes a disclosure and the recorded data is only accessed and used in accordance with the contract; (2) upon order by a court of competent jurisdiction or another administrative authority having jurisdiction to issue such an order; (3) if the recorded data is accessed by an emergency response provider and is used for the sole purpose of determining the need for or facilitating an emergency medical response in the event of a motor vehicle crash and assisting them in performing their duties as emergency response providers; (4) if a motor vehicle repair or servicing facility, including a licensed new motor vehicle dealer, or a technician or mechanic at such a facility, requires access to recorded data in order to carry out normal and ordinary diagnosing, servicing, and repair duties and the recorded data is used for the sole purpose of performing such duties; or (5) for the purpose of improving motor vehicle safety, security, or traffic management, including for medical research of the human body's reaction to motor vehicle crashes, provided that the identity of the registered owner or driver is not disclosed in connection with that retrieved data. The bill prohibits a person from knowingly altering or deleting data on a recording device, or knowingly destroying a recording device, after a crash event that resulted in bodily injury or death, within a reasonable amount of time sufficient for a law enforcement officer to obtain a search warrant. Furthermore, no insurer could refuse to renew a motor vehicle insurance policy solely because of the refusal of a motor vehicle owner to provide consent or access to recorded data from a recording device. No insurer or agent could reduce coverage, increase the insured's premium, apply a surcharge, refuse to apply a discount other than a discount that is based on data recorded by a recording device, place in a less favorable tier, or refuse to place in the company's best tier. When there are multiple companies available within a group of insurers, the bill prohibits insurers from failing to place in the most favorably priced company solely because a motor vehicle owner refuses to allow an insurer access to recorded data from a recording device. | In Committee |
| A1374 | Replaces references to "alien" and "illegal alien" in statutes with "foreign national" and "undocumented foreign national," respectively; prohibits use of those terms by executive branch agencies. | This bill replaces the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" in the New Jersey statutes with the terms "foreign national" and "undocumented foreign national," respectively, when referring to a person in the context of his legal status. This bill also ensures that executive branch agencies discontinue use of those terms. This bill removes from State law the offensive language characterizing persons who are immigrants as "aliens" or "illegal aliens" and prohibits State executive agencies from using those terms in any proposed or final rule, regulation, interpretation, publication, or other document, display, or sign issued by the agency after the effective date of this bill, except to the extent that they are used in quoting or reproducing text written by a source other than an officer or employee of the agency. Similar legislation was introduced in Congress on October 21, 2015, by Congressman Joaquin Castro. The United States is a nation of immigrants, and as such, our laws should discontinue the use of terms that ostracize those in our society who may have been born elsewhere. Regardless of status, immigrants to our nation are first and foremost human beings. Removing the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" from this State's laws shows respect to the hundreds of millions of descendants of immigrants who call the United States home. Especially in the context of an issue as contentious as immigration, discontinuing use of the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" will help reduce the prejudice that has skewed discussions concerning immigration and offer recognition of immigrants' personhood in the laws of this State. | In Committee |
| A1585 | Provides veterans with up to 60 credits tuition-free at county college serving county of residence. | This bill provides that veterans who are enrolled in good standing at the New Jersey county college serving their county of residence will be eligible to receive up to 60 credits tuition-free. For purposes of the bill, a "veteran" is a citizen and resident of the State who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, or a Reserve component, and was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances. In order to be eligible for tuition benefits under the bill, the veteran is required to apply for all available State and federal student grants and scholarships for which he is eligible, as well as any tuition benefits for which he is eligible under the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill (38 U.S.C. s.3301 et seq.). If the county college in which the veteran is enrolled awards the veteran any credits for military experience, those credits will count toward the maximum number of 60 credits tuition-free. | In Committee |
| A3276 | Eliminates driver's license suspension for failure to pay parking tickets; requires registration suspension for more than five parking tickets. | This bill eliminates suspension of a person's driver's license as a penalty for failure to make required court appearances for outstanding parking tickets or failure to pay those tickets. But the bill does require suspension of a person's motor vehicle registration for failure to make more than five required court appearances related to outstanding parking tickets or for failure to pay more than five of those tickets. | In Committee |
| A1367 | Revises time period at which unit owners assume control of homeowners' associations. | This bill would revise the statutes governing the control of a homeowners association by the developer of a condominium, or other planned unit development, to limit the amount of time that a developer may control a homeowners'' association. Under current law, once 75% of the units in a condominium or planned unit development are sold by the developer, the homeowners' association is governed by unit owners, and not the developer. However, in many cases, a developer will cease construction of additional units of housing in order to maintain control of the homeowners' association. The provisions of this bill are intended to address this issue. The bill would amend section 2 of P.L.1979, c.157 (C.46:8B-12.1), which supplements the "Condominium Act," P.L.1969, c.257 (C.46:8B-1 et seq.), to clarify that the control by the owners shall occur 60 days after the conveyance of 75 percent of the lots, parcels, units or interests within a single structure, or two years after substantial completion of a single condominium structure, whichever occurs first. The bill would also amend the "Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act," P.L.1993, c.30 (C.45:22A-43 et seq.), to clarify that the control by the owners shall occur 60 days after the conveyance of 75 percent of the lots, parcels, units, or interests within a single structure, or two years after substantial completion of a single condominium structure, whichever occurs first. | In Committee |
| A1370 | Requires DOT to implement complete streets policy that considers persons with certain disabilities. | This bill requires the Department of Transportation (department) to implement a complete streets policy to plan, design, construct, maintain, and operate new and rehabilitated public highways and public transportation projects to provide safe access for all users. The complete streets policy would require the consideration and implementation of design elements and infrastructure improvement projects that promote the ability of persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to travel independently. The bill also requires the department, as part of the complete streets policy, to develop universal design concepts that advance the mobility options for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, the department is required to develop guidance and policies concerning the means by which the universal design concepts would be incorporated into the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of new and rehabilitated public highways and public transportation projects. The department is required to encourage regional and local entities that apply for funding through the local aid program to adopt a complete streets policy consistent with the bill. | In Committee |
| A1859 | Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to develop pathway to nursing scholarship for health care workers who want to become nurses; appropriates $1 million. | This bill requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), in consultation with the New Jersey Board of Nursing, to develop a pathway to nursing scholarship program. The purpose of the scholarship program is to address the current and projected critical shortage of nurses in the State by providing an incentive for persons who currently work in the field of healthcare to enter an approved course of study in a nursing education program to ensure that sufficient numbers of trained nursing staff are available to provide quality health care services to the residents of this State. Under the bill, HESAA will award 100 scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each to qualified recipients enrolled in an approved course of study in a nursing education program in the State. To be eligible for the scholarship, an applicant must: be a resident of the State and maintain domicile in the State during participation in the program; currently work in, or have previously worked in, the healthcare industry; be enrolled in an approved course of study concerning nursing instruction at an institution of higher education or at a school of professional nursing; and submit a written statement to the authority detailing the applicant's ongoing commitment to working as a nurse upon completion of an approved course of study concerning nursing instruction at an institution of higher education or at a school of professional nursing. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to HESAA to effectuate the purposes of this act. | In Committee |
| A565 | Adds new civil penalties and increases surcharges imposed on domestic violence offenders; establishes "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund." | This bill would impose new civil penalties on domestic violence offenders and increase the surcharges imposed on these offenders under current law. The additional revenue would be appropriated to organizations that provide for direct legal services to domestic violence victims. Final Hearing: New Civil Penalty. Currently, N.J.S.A.2C:25-29.1 provides that a person found by the court in a final hearing to have committed an act of domestic violence must pay a civil penalty of $50 to $500. The monies are forwarded to the "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund," established by N.J.S.A.30:14-15, which uses the monies for services to domestic violence victims. This bill adds an additional civil penalty of $1,500, payable at $500 per year for three years. The monies from the new penalty would be deposited into a new fund created by the bill, the "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund." Inability to Pay. Under the bill, if the court finds that the person does not have the ability to pay the penalty for the "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund" in full on the date of the hearing or, in the case of the new penalty for the "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund," the ability to make the first payment in full on the date of the hearing and the ability to make the two subsequent payments on the dates they are due, the court may order the payment of the penalties in installments for a period of time to be determined by the court. If the person defaults on the payment then the court may: (1) reduce, suspend or modify the installment plan; (2) order community service; (3) impose any other alternative in lieu of payment; or (4) waive the penalties in cases of extreme hardship. Criminal Conviction: Increased Surcharge. The bill also increases the current surcharge imposed on persons convicted of a crime or offense involving domestic violence. Under N.J.S.A.2C:25-29.4, a person convicted of an act of domestic violence is subject to a surcharge in the amount of $100 payable to the State Treasurer for use by the Department of Human Services to fund grants for domestic violence prevention, training, legal assistance services and assessment. This amount would be increased to $500 under the bill. The monies realized by the increase in the surcharge would be deposited into the new "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund." Technical Correction. The bill also makes a technical correction to N.J.S.A.2C:25-29.4 concerning the reference to the department, changing it to the Department of Children and Families to reflect the current structure. Violation of Restraining Order: New Civil Penalty. In addition, the bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:25-30 to create a new civil penalty for persons convicted of violating a domestic violence restraining order. The bill would impose a civil penalty of $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation. This civil penalty would also be deposited into the new fund established by the bill. New Fund. The "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund" established by the bill would be a dedicated fund within the General Fund and administered by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families. All monies deposited in the new fund would be appropriated to organizations that provide for direct legal services to victims of domestic violence, including but not limited to medical and legal advocacy services, information and referral, and community education. The fund would be the depository of moneys realized from the increases in the surcharge and the new civil penalties imposed by the bill, and would also be the depository of any other moneys made available for the purposes of the fund. | In Committee |
| A334 | Requires public school with any of grades 9 through 12 to discuss with students and parents employment opportunities as skilled laborer or through military enlistment or in agriculture. | This bill requires that a public school counselor or teacher discuss with students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 the employment opportunities available as a skilled laborer or through military enlistment or in agriculture. In discussing military enlistment, the school counselor or teacher will provide the student with information concerning the military enlistment test. The bill directs the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, to provide these public schools with information on the opportunities for employment as a skilled laborer or in agriculture and on the education, certificate, or apprenticeship that may be required to qualify for such employment. | In Committee |
| A177 | Requires portable anti-choking devices be placed in schools. | This bill would require public and nonpublic schools to ensure that at least one portable anti-choking device is made available in the cafeteria, school nurse's office, and any other similar location. The devices would be placed in an unlocked and easily accessible location during the school day and at any other time when a school-sponsored event is taking place. The locations of each portable anti-choking device shall have an appropriate identifying sign. A portable anti-choking device is a device that uses manually created suction to remove blockage from a person's airway during a choking emergency. These devices may only be used in schools provided they have been registered with the United States Food and Drug Administration. Each board of education and the governing board or chief administrator of a nonpublic school would be required to develop policies for the use of anti-choking devices by school nurses and school employees. The policies would include a requirement that all school nurses and school employees receive training in airway management and in the removal of any obstructions from the airway using a portable anti-choking device. The Commissioner of Education would ensure that annual educational opportunities are made available for school nurses and employees of both public and nonpublic schools regarding airway management and the use of portable anti-choking devices. The Department of Education would reimburse public and nonpublic schools for the costs incurred to implement the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| A1969 | Requires Secretary of Higher Education to create and maintain database of Educational Opportunity Fund student admissions. | This bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to create and maintain a database of Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) student admissions. The database will detail the number of student openings in the EOF programs of each participating institution which are available for an eligible student. The database must be made available to campus EOF directors in order to improve communication about potential placements between campus directors and eligible students. The bill provides that in the event that an eligible student has not secured a placement in an EOF program of a participating institution, the campus EOF director must provide that student with information about student openings in the EOF programs of other participating institutions. Under the bill, each participating institution must notify the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education when a student opening in an EOF program is filled. The office must update the database within one business day of receiving the notification. | 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 |
| A886 | Revises mileage limit for mandatory school transportation for students in preschool through grade four. | Under current law, a school district is required to provide transportation to elementary school students who live more than two miles from their public school of attendance and to high school students who live more than two and one-half miles from their public school of attendance. This bill would amend current law to require a school district to provide transportation to students in preschool through grade four who live more than one and one-half miles from their public school of attendance. The bill retains the existing distance requirement of more than two miles for students in grades five through eight, and the existing distance requirement of more than two and one-half miles for high school students. The bill also amends the transportation eligibility criteria under the "Interdistrict Public School Choice Program Act" to align with the mileage change made by the bill for public school students in preschool through grade four. | In Committee |
| A124 | Allows gross income tax deduction for up to $1,200 of unreimbursed expenses incurred by eligible educators for purchase of classroom supplies. | This bill allows a gross income tax deduction for up to $1,200 of unreimbursed expenses incurred by eligible educators for the purchase of classroom supplies. Under the bill, an "eligible educator" is a teacher who is employed in a public or nonpublic school in the State. The bill defines "classroom supplies" as books, pencils and other drawing supplies, computers and related equipment, laboratory equipment, and any other equipment and supplementary materials needed for day-to-day classroom activities. | In Committee |
| A128 | Allows gross income tax deduction of up to $1,200 for purchases of school supplies by parents and guardians. | This bill allows a taxpayer who is a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school in the State, or at any institution of higher education, a deduction against gross income of up to $1,200 in purchases made by the taxpayer for school supplies during the taxable year. As used in the bill, "school supplies" means items commonly used by a student in a course of study, and shall include: binders; book bags; calculators; cellophane tape; blackboard chalk; compasses; composition books; crayons; erasers; folders, including expandable folders, pocket folders, plastic folders, and manila folders; glue, paste, and paste sticks; highlighters; index cards; index card boxes; legal pads; lunch boxes; markers; notebooks; paper, including loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper; pencil boxes and other school supply boxes; pencil sharpeners; pencils; pens; protractors; rulers; scissors; and writing tablets. | In Committee |
| A289 | "The Smarter Lunchroom Act;" promotes healthy food choices in school cafeterias. | This bill promotes healthy food choices in school cafeterias by encouraging school districts, public schools, and nonpublic schools to adopt the strategies of The Smarter Lunchroom Movement. The Smarter Lunchroom Movement was founded by researchers at the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs and offers simple, low to no-cost evidence-based tools that improve child eating behaviors in school cafeterias. The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to make every effort to assist, guide, and support school districts, public schools, and nonpublic schools in planning, establishing, and implementing the strategies of The Smarter Lunchroom Movement. Strategies include highlighting fruit and other nutritional foods by placing them near the cash register and placing the most nutrient-filled entre first in the serving line and first on the menu board. The bill also requires that information on The Smarter Lunchroom Movement be available for public inspection on the Department of Education's Internet site in a user-friendly, plain language format. In New Jersey, nearly 24.7 percent of children aged 10 through 17 are classified overweight or obese. Because many of the over 1.37 million children enrolled in New Jersey public schools rely upon school cafeterias for their breakfast and lunch meals, schools are in an influential position to combat this growing trend. By implementing the strategies of The Smarter Lunchroom Movement, schools can have a positive and lasting impact on the overall health of students in the State. | In Committee |
| A270 | Establishes pilot program in DOE to provide assistive technology to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia and related conditions. | This bill establishes a three-year assistive technology pilot program in the Department of Education. The purpose of the program is to provide assistive technology and assistive technology services to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia and related conditions. The assistive technology and assistive technology services will:· deliver written material in an accessible auditory or text-to-speech format to assist students to read at grade level; or· allow students with dyslexia or related conditions to more effectively complete written assignments. Under the pilot program, the Commissioner of Education will provide a grant to each of the pilot districts to finance the costs associated with the acquisition of the assistive technology and assistive technology services and the training of teachers in the use of the technology. A school district that wants to participate in the pilot program will submit an application to the commissioner. The application must provide information on the number of students in the district who have dyslexia and related conditions, the grade-levels of those students, the grade-level reading ability of those students, the assistive technology and assistive technology services to be acquired under the program, and plans for the training of teachers in the use of the assistive technology and assistive technology services. The application is required to detail how the use of the assistive technology and assistive technology services will serve to advance the academic achievement of students with dyslexia and related conditions. The commissioner will select seven districts to participate in the pilot program, and is required to seek a cross section of school districts from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State. Under the bill, the commissioner will submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature at the conclusion of the pilot program. The report is required to include: the number of students who participated in the pilot program; the grade-levels of those students; the grade-level reading ability of those students prior to participation in the pilot program; the impact of the pilot program on enabling those students to access and work on grade-level content; the number of teachers trained in the use of the assistive technology; and the commissioner's recommendation on the feasibility of implementing the program on a Statewide basis. | In Committee |
| A293 | Suspends fines for certain first-time paperwork violations committed by small businesses. | This bill would suspend the assessment of fines against small businesses for certain minor first-time paperwork violations. Under the bill, a small business means a business entity that employs 50 full-time employees or fewer and qualifies as a small business concern as defined in the federal "Small Business Act." Under the bill, a fine would not be suspended if:· the violation has the potential to cause serious harm to the public interest;· failure to impose a fine or penalty would impede or interfere with the detection of criminal activity;· the violation concerns the assessment or collection of any tax, debt, revenue, or receipt;· the violation was not corrected within six months of the date the small business received notification of the violation; or· except as provided below, the violation presents a danger to public safety. If a State agency or regulatory authority determines that the violation presents a danger to the public safety, the agency or regulatory authority may nevertheless suspend the assessment of a fine under certain circumstances if the violation is corrected within 24 hours after notification to the business of the violation. This bill is based upon a federal bill that was sponsored in the 114th United States Congress, introduced on January 7, 2015. The federal bill provided for the suspension of fines under certain circumstances for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses. | In Committee |
| AJR14 | Designates October of each year as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month." | Over one million women and hundreds of thousands of men experience some form of domestic violence by a partner or family member every year in the United States. According to the 2017 statistical report prepared by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts, more than 40,000 domestic violence complaints were made in 2017 in the State of New Jersey. Domestic violence is a serious problem affecting people of all ages as well as racial, ethnic, gender, economic, and religious backgrounds. The devastating effects of domestic violence include physical injury, psychological trauma, or in some cases even death. Domestic violence has both an immediate and long-term negative impact on the health of the victims and studies have shown a link between domestic violence and a myriad of health problems, including: smoking, diabetes, obesity, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Emotional and physical consequences of continued abuse can be severe and greater awareness may help prevent domestic violence in our communities and confirm our commitment to the protection of those who are most vulnerable. | In Committee |
| A564 | Specifies that emergency, transitional, and permanent housing for victim of domestic violence would be funded by "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund." | This bill specifies that the "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund" would fund emergency, transitional, and permanent housing; food; utilities; transportation costs; and language access services. The "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund" is a dedicated fund within the General Fund and administered by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families. The fund is the depository of moneys realized from the civil penalty imposed pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2001, c.195 (C.2C:25-29.1) on any person found by the court in a final hearing pursuant to section 13 of P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-29) to have committed an act of domestic violence. The penalty ranges from $50 up to $500, and the fund is also the depository of any other moneys made available for the purposes of the fund. Under current law, all moneys deposited in the "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund" are used for direct services to victims of domestic violence including, but not limited to, shelter services and legal advocacy services. | In Committee |
| A1146 | Provides for excused absences for public school students involved in election activities on day of general election under certain circumstances. | This bill would permit any pupil over the age of 14 years of any public school to take an excused absence from school on the day of the general election in this State upon the presentation of documentation proving that the pupil served as a volunteer for election-related activity on the day of the general election. This bill defines "election-related activity" to mean: observing the polling or canvassing process, participating in simulated voting, assisting in the transportation of voters to polling places, or participating in any other activity that has been specifically approved in advance by the board of education governing that public school, as part of a group or a program organized by a recognized nonprofit organization, by a board of education, or by educators within the public educational system of this State, not undertaken directly or indirectly for the benefit or under the auspices of one or more political parties to the exclusion of other political parties, and for which the pupil volunteered and received compensation or reimbursement for expenses no greater than $100. The absence would be granted upon submission of documentation which would include a signature of a person over the age of 18 years who supervised the pupil's activity, the organizers of the activity, a brief description of the nature of the activity, the time during which the pupil took part in the activity, and a certification that the activity was not undertaken directly or indirectly for the benefit of one or more political parties to the exclusion of other political parties. The board of education may deny such excused absences for pupils whose academic achievement is below a level set by the board of education for this purpose. The purpose of this legislation is to promote participation in the election process among young people who are just a few years from becoming eligible to vote, thus fostering their understanding of the importance of voting, of their rights as citizens, and of their civic responsibility. | 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 |
| A622 | Establishes the "Safe Schools and Communities Violence Prevention and Response Plan Act of 2023"; appropriates $10 million. | This bill establishes the "Safe Schools and Communities Violence Prevention and Response Plan Act of 2023." Under the bill, each county superintendent of schools is to employ a violence prevention specialist. The violence prevention specialist is required to develop a safe schools and communities prevention and response plan in collaboration with, as applicable, local community mental health providers, school administrators, teachers, school resource officers, school safety specialists, guidance counselors, child study teams, and parents. The plan is to include the creation of a prevention and early intervention team, which will be comprised of the violence prevention specialist and three or four mental health specialists assigned by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services from local mental health providers. The team is required to work with the county superintendent of schools and individual school districts to develop the plan and to provide training and technical assistance. Statewide guidelines, training materials, consultation andtechnical assistance for the safe schools and communities violence prevention and response plan are to be developed and updated annually for school districts and violence prevention specialists by a qualified mental health organization with a Statewide presence and expertise in mental health treatment, training advocacy, and creating public awareness. | In Committee |
| A276 | Establishes "Student Mental Health Task Force." | This bill establishes the "Student Mental Health Task Force," the purpose of which is to examine issues related to the mental health of students, including depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological or emotional tension, trauma, or disorder; study and survey the resources that are available to schools and parents to address student mental health needs; and develop recommendations to ensure that students have access to mental health care programs and services in order to allow students to meet their educational goals. The task force will consist of the following 17 members: the Commissioner of Education, or a designee, ex officio; the Commissioner of Health, or a designee, ex officio; the Commissioner of Children and Families, or a designee, ex officio; the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, or a designee, ex officio; the Director of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services, or a designee, ex officio; one public member appointed by the Senate President, one public member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one public member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and one public member appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly, all four of whom shall have demonstrated expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force; and the following eight public members appointed by the Governor: one representative of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, one representative of the New Jersey School Boards Association, one representative of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one representative of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, one representative of the New Jersey Association of Counties, one representative of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, one member representing school district leaders, and one school mental health professional who holds a valid educational services certificate issued by the State Board of Examiners that may include, but is not limited to, a school counselor, a school social worker, or a school psychologist. The task force is responsible for examining issues related to the mental health of students, including depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological or emotional tension, trauma, or disorder; study and survey all resources that are currently available to the schools and parents within each county in the State, and within the northern, central, and southern regions of the State, for helping a student or child who experiences mental health issues; and develop recommendations to ensure that students have access to mental health care programs and services in order to allow students to meet their educational goals. The task force is required to survey the availability of certain mental health treatment services, mental health care provider networks that offer mental health treatment, government agencies that offer funding and mental health treatment services, and partnership opportunities with institutions of higher education to address mental health needs of students. The task force is also required to study and make recommendations regarding the identification of public school students who experience mental health difficulties, the evaluation and expansion of counseling programs and services available to students experiencing mental health difficulties, the relationship of student mental health to school safety and security, the amount of funding that may be necessary for public schools to employ the appropriate staff and to establish new programs or expand existing programs necessary to address student mental health, an examination of mental health programs successfully implemented by other states, and any other proposals the task force determines would provide for increased access to high-quality mental health programs. The task force, in performing the above duties, is required to consult with parents of general education students, parents of students who receive special education and related services, and teaching staff members. The task force will issue a final report to the Governor and Legislature no later than one year after the organization of the task force that contains the results of the above survey and recommendations. The task force is required to forward a copy of the report to every school district in the State. The task force will expire 30 days after issuing its final report. | In Committee |
| A590 | Authorizes State employees to take administrative leave days in observance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha; requires school districts to permit students excused absences for observance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. | This bill provides that full-time State employees would be able to be absent from work for the purposes of observing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, without that absence counting toward their administrative leave allotment. The bill also explicitly requires that a student's absence from school due to the observance of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha will be an excused absence for the purposes of recording attendance. Muslims celebrate two main holidays every lunar year, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr, which means "festival of the breaking of the fast," is celebrated first at the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Muslims in the United States observe this month of sacrifice and contemplation by fasting, reading the Holy Quran, and participating in charity work, worship, and emphasizing self-discipline. Eid al-Adha, the "feast of the sacrifice," is celebrated two months later and commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. Eid al-Adha is the more sacred of the two Eids, and often coincides with the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage, an annual Islamic pilgrimage in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Under the bill, one additional day of administrative leave per calendar year would be granted to an employee if that employee is absent from work in observance of Eid al-Fitr. Similarly, one additional day of administrative leave per calendar year would be granted to an employee if that employee is absent from work in observance of or Eid al-Adha. This bill would require a school district to record an excused absence for a student who is absent from school due to the observance of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. The bill also provides that a student absence because of the observance of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha would not be included on any transcript or application or employment form or any similar form on which information concerning a pupil's attendance record is requested. Further, if the student presents a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian, the bill provides that a student absent from school because of the observance of the two holidays would: (1) not be deprived of any award or eligibility or opportunity to compete for any award due to the absence; and (2) would be given the opportunity to take an alternate test or examination if they miss a test or examination due to the absence from school. | In Committee |
| A3313 | Creates advisory council to oversee revision of core curriculum content standards. | Under this bill, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the State Board of Education, is directed to appoint a Core Curriculum Content Standards Advisory Council to assist and advise the State Board in the ongoing review of core curriculum content standards. The advisory council will consist of 15 members chosen from among the K-12 education, higher education, and business communities and shall also include student and parent representatives. The bill directs the Core Curriculum Content Standards Advisory Council to establish a subcommittee for each of the subject areas of the core curriculum content standards. The bill directs each subcommittee to review the existing standards for its subject area. Under the bill, the subcommittee will: (1) review relevant research on the subject area and identify areas in the standards where revision is appropriate; (2) examine curriculum standards for the subject area adopted by other states, countries, and entities; (3) collect feedback on the existing State standards from teachers, parents, and other stakeholders through the development of an online survey and make feedback available to the public via Internet posting; (4) solicit feedback from appropriate content related professional organizations, associations, and societies; and (5) write a report detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the standards. Under the bill, each subcommittee will revise the standards to reflect its research findings. In lieu of revisions, a subcommittee may recommend the adoption of a highly-regarded set of standards from another state or country or by working with a consortium of states to revise and develop a set of standards. The subcommittee will then submit the revised standards to the Core Curriculum Content Standards Advisory Council for its review and approval. Upon the receipt of revised standards from a subcommittee, the Core Curriculum Content Standards Advisory Council will review and finalize the standards before forwarding them to the Commissioner of Education for consideration and adoption by the State Board of Education. The Commissioner of Education may submit standards to the State Board of Education that are different than those submitted by the Core Curriculum Content Standards Advisory Council, along with a written justification and explanation of any changes that were made. | In Committee |
| A3123 | Requires public and nonpublic schools with lunch programs to provide free lunch to increasing numbers of income-eligible students and, after five-year phase-in, to provide free lunch to all students, regardless of income or federal eligibility. | This bill, would require school districts and nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to provide free lunch to gradually increasing numbers of income-eligible students over a five-year phase-in period and, at the end of that five-year phase-in period, to provide free lunch to all students enrolled in the district or at the nonpublic school, regardless of each student's household income or federal eligibility for free or reduced price school meals. The bill would additionally clarify that both school districts and nonpublic schools that offer school breakfasts under the federal School Breakfast Program will be required, pursuant to existing law at section 12 of P.L.2022, c.104 (C.18A:33-14a), to provide such breakfasts, free of charge, to students who are federally eligible for free or reduced price school meals, as well as to students who are federally ineligible for free or reduced price school meals, but who have an annual household income amounting to not less than 186 percent, and not more than 199 percent, of the federal poverty level. However, the bill would not expand the categories of students who are eligible for free breakfast under that existing law. Under existing federal law, a student is federally eligible to receive free or reduced price school lunch under the National School Lunch Program, or free or reduced price school breakfast under the federal School Breakfast Program, only if the student is determined to be categorically eligible for such benefits (i.e., is determined to be a homeless child, a migrant child, a runaway child, a foster child, or a Head Start Child, or is a participant in certain public benefits programs) or can demonstrate that the student lives in a low-income household (i.e., a household with an annual income that is not more than 185 percent of the federal poverty level). Through the recent enactment of the "Working Class Families' Anti-Hunger Act," P.L.2022, c.104 (C.18A:33-3.2 et al.), the State of New Jersey has also provided for the expanded provision of free school lunches and breakfasts to students in the State who reside in certain middle-income families (i.e., those families having an annual household income of up to 199 percent of the federal poverty level). This bill would further expand the existing State law on this issue by providing for the continued, but gradual, expansion of subsidized school lunch eligibility (but not subsidized school breakfast eligibility) to students in higher income brackets, over the course of a five-year phase-in period, until all students are eligible for free school lunch, regardless of the students' income and federal eligibility therefor. Specifically, under the bill's provisions, school lunches are to be made available, free of charge, to enrolled students who are federally ineligible for free or reduced price meals, in accordance with the following schedule: (1) during the 2023-2024 school year, and consistent with the provisions of the "Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act," to each enrolled student who is federally ineligible for free or reduced price meals, but who has an annual household income that is not less than 186 percent, and not more than 199 percent, of the federal poverty level (FPL); (2) during the 2024-2025 school year, to each enrolled student who is federally ineligible for free or reduced price meals, but who has an annual household income that is not less than 186 percent, and not more than 249 percent, of the FPL; (3) during the 2025-2026 school year, to each enrolled student who is federally ineligible for free or reduced price meals, but who has an annual household income that is not less than 186 percent, and not more than 299 percent, of the FPL; (4) during the 2026-2027 school year, to each enrolled student who is federally ineligible for free or reduced price meals, but who has an annual household income that is not less than 186 percent, and not more than 349 percent, of the FPL; (5) during the 2027-2028 school year, to each enrolled student who is federally ineligible for free or reduced price meals, but who has an annual household income that is not less than 186 percent, and not more than 399 percent, of the FPL; and (6) during the 2028-2029 school year, and during each school year thereafter, to each enrolled student who is federally ineligible for free or reduced price meals, regardless of the student's annual household income. All students who become newly eligible for free school lunch, under the bill's provisions, would also be eligible to continue receiving such free lunches through a summer meals program. Eligible public school students would additionally be able to continue receiving free lunches through an emergency meals distribution program that is activated during a period of school closure resulting from COVID-19. The bill would require the State to provide funding to each participating school district and nonpublic school, as may be necessary to reimburse the costs associated with the provision of free lunches thereby to expanding groups of State-eligible students who are federally ineligible for such meals under the National School Lunch Program. It would further require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Education, to establish a standardized means by which to review the State reimbursement amounts being allocated under the bill in order to determine whether, and the extent to which, participating school districts and nonpublic schools have received adequate reimbursement, from the State, sufficient to account for each participating school's actual costs of meal delivery, including, but not limited to, food, labor, and other related costs. The bill would require each report that is annually submitted, to the Governor and Legislature, on the State's school lunch and breakfast programs to identify, as appropriate, for each participating school district and nonpublic school in the State: (1) the number and percentage of students receiving subsidized school meals who have been determined to be, respectively, federally eligible for free school lunch or breakfast, federally eligible for reduced price school lunch or breakfast, income-eligible for free school lunch or breakfast on the basis of State-level income eligibility requirements, or statutorily eligible for free school lunch, as provided by the bill, without regard to income; and (2) the number and percentage of such students who reside in low-income families with household incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level, middle-income families with household incomes between 186 and 399 percent of the federal poverty level, and upper-income families with household incomes at or above 400 percent of the federal poverty level. In addition to expanding eligibility for subsidized school lunches, the bill would also require school districts and nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or the federal School Breakfast Program to take steps to minimize or offset program costs, to the extent that such costs can be minimized or offset without compromising the nonpublic school's or district's ability to comply with minimum nutritional standards and other program requirements. To facilitate such legally compliant cost minimization activities, the bill would require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Education, to: (1) monitor, inspect, and oversee school meals programs operating in the State to ensure that school meals served thereunder continue to satisfy minimum nutritional standards; (2) develop and publicize best practices, protocols, and model plans to help participating school districts and nonpublic schools effectively minimize and offset program costs without compromising the nutritional value of meals being served; and (3) work cooperatively with each participating school district and nonpublic school to review the program costs being expended thereby, identify various means and methods by which those program costs can be reduced, curtailed, or eliminated without sacrificing nutritional value or legal compliance, provide relevant financial recommendations, and undertake or recommend other appropriate actions to prevent the State's school meals programs from becoming overly bloated with unnecessary expenses and from otherwise becoming financially burdensome. | In Committee |
| A3259 | Requires landlords to provide tenants with certain notice concerning conditions that may cause damage or hazards on rental property. | This bill provides that when a landlord receives written notice from an entity responsible for work on an adjoining property clearly stating that work will be conducted on the adjoining property, including but not limited to, construction, rehabilitation, or demolition, that may cause damage or hazardous conditions to the landlord's property, the landlord would be required to provide a copy of the notice to tenants of the landlord's property. Under the bill, the landlord is required to provide tenants with notice within five business days of the landlord's receipt of the written notice. If the landlord, either directly or through an agent, intends to conduct hazardous work on a property adjoining a property occupied by the landlord's tenant, then the bill would require the landlord to provide notice to the tenant prior to the work's commencement. The bill specifies that the notice may be provided to each affected tenant by mail, by posting in at least one conspicuous area where the information is most likely to be viewed by tenants, or by electronic delivery. A landlord who fails to provide an affected tenant with the notice would be liable to a penalty of not more than $200 for each offense, recoverable by a summary proceeding under "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part in the county or the municipal court of the municipality in which the landlord's property is located would have jurisdiction to enforce this penalty. Under the bill, a "landlord" is defined as any person who rents or leases, for a term of at least one month, commercial space or residential dwelling units other than dwelling units in a premises containing not more than two such units and seasonal rental units, or in an owner-occupied premises of not more than three dwelling units and seasonal rental units, or in hotels, motels, or other guest houses serving transient or seasonal guests. | 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 |
| A1601 | Requires school district to establish "School Meal Fund" to assist students with school meal bill in arrears. | This bill requires a school district to establish a "School Meal Fund" for the purpose of accepting donations to assist students with the purchase of school breakfast or school lunch and to fund any arrears in the school breakfast or school lunch bills of students enrolled in the school district. The fund will be established through the adoption of a resolution by the board of education. The board will also adopt a policy that will ensure the fiscal accountability of the fund and will outline the standards that will be applied in making a determination to disburse moneys from the School Meal Fund. The fund will be subject to audit as part of the school district's annual audit required under current law. The bill directs a board of education to provide, through written and electronic means, information to the parents and guardians of students enrolled in the school district and to other residents of the school district and community organizations on the establishment of the fund, its purposes, and the procedures to be followed to make a donation to the fund. The information will also be posted in a prominent location on the school district's Internet website. | In Committee |
| A1600 | Requires school districts to take certain actions in circumstances when school meal bill is in arrears; prohibits shaming students with school meal bills in arrears; prohibits certain district actions in collecting unpaid school meal fees. | In February of 2015, the Legislature enacted P.L.2015, c.15 (C.18A:33-21) to establish a process that a school district must follow prior to denying a school breakfast or a school lunch to a student due to the fact that the student's school breakfast or school lunch bill was in arrears. The purpose of the law was to ensure that a student was not suddenly denied a school breakfast or school lunch, and that the student's parent or guardian received proper notice of the arrearage and an adequate opportunity to address the arrearage prior to the school district making a determination to deny the student school meals. This bill clarifies that nothing in section 1 of P.L.2015, c.15 (C.18A:33-21) requires a school district to deny school breakfast or school lunch to a student whose bill is in arrears, but rather to provide adequate notice and opportunity to the student's parent or guardian if the district determines to take such an action. The bill amends that same section of law to require that, if a student's parent or guardian has not made full payment of a student's school breakfast or school lunch bill in arrears by the end of 10 school days, a school district must provide notice of any action to be taken by the school district in response to a student's school breakfast or school lunch bill being in arrears. The bill also amends that section of law to include a number of provisions regarding a school district's responsibilities when a student's school breakfast or school lunch bill is in arrears. Pursuant to the bill, prior to contacting the parent to provide notice of the school meal bill in arrears, the school district is required to exhaust all options and methods to directly certify the student for the free or reduced priced meal program. If the school district is not able to directly certify the student, when the district sends the notification of the arrearage to the parent, it must include a paper copy of, or an electronic link to, an application for the school meal program and contact the parent to encourage submission of the application. The bill includes a provision that requires school districts to ensure that a student whose school breakfast or school lunch bill is in arrears is not shamed, treated differently, forced to go to the end of the food line, or served a meal that differs from what a student whose bill is not in arrears would receive. Under the bill, a district may not permit any action directed at a student to collect unpaid school meal fees. Districts may attempt to collect unpaid school meal fees from parents, but the districts are not permitted to threaten to make a child protective services report solely in regard to the arrearage. | In Committee |
| A1650 | Requires each school district with middle school or high school to establish food services advisory committee to consider menu options that reflect students' cultural, traditional, and dietary preferences. | This bill directs the chief school administrator of a school district that includes a middle school or high school to establish a food services advisory committee to consider and recommend school breakfast and lunch menu options that better reflect the cultural, traditional, and dietary food preferences of the student body, including vegetarian and vegan meal options. The committee will serve in an advisory capacity and make recommendations to the chief school administrator, the school principals, and the food services provider. Under the bill, the members of the committee will be selected by the chief school administrator or a designee and will include a principal or a designee, a food services employee, the chief school administrator or a designee, at least four students enrolled in the school district's middle schools or high schools, and one or more parents of those students. In the event that a school nurse expresses an interest in serving on the food services advisory committee, the chief school administrator or a designee will appoint a school nurse to the committee. In making its recommendations for new menu options, the committee is directed to also consider: available funding for the school breakfast and school lunch programs, equipment, and other issues that may serve to limit food choices; the ability of the food services provider and its employees to comply with the recommendations; and the nutritional value of the new menu options. Finally, the bill provides that any new menu options offered by the school district must meet nutritional standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. To determine the need for a food services advisory committee in a particular school district, a district must provide a written form to each student enrolled in the district's middle schools and high schools to inquire on whether the student has an unmet food preference. The form will also be available on the school district's Internet website. The bill's requirements may be suspended for one school year at the discretion of the chief school administrator in the event that 1) no student indicates an unmet food preference on the written or Internet form, or 2) the response of students is de minimis in nature and the food preferences of those students can be met to the satisfaction of the students without a food services advisory committee. In the event that on the bill's effective date a school district has a method for resolving student grievances that includes student representation, the school district may substitute that body in the place of a food services advisory committee and that body will fulfill the requirements established under the bill. | In Committee |
| ACR103 | Condemns federal rule proposal that would force families of mixed immigration status who reside in certain affordable housing to either separate or face eviction. | This resolution condemns a recent federal rule proposal that would force families of mixed immigration status who reside in certain affordable housing to either separate or face eviction. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") recently published a proposed rule, 84 F.R. 20589, that would prohibit "mixed-status" families from living in certain federally-subsidized housing. Mixed-status families are households that include both members who are eligible and ineligible for housing assistance based on their immigration status. Existing federal law allows families to live together in subsidized housing if a member is ineligible, so long as the housing subsidy is decreased to exclude that person from the assistance. Under existing law, status as an "ineligible" immigrant is not synonymous with being an "undocumented" immigrant. Many immigrants possess legal status, but are still ineligible for participation in federally-supported housing programs. The proposed rule would further require residents of subsidized housing under the age of 62 to have their immigration status screened. Families with members deemed "ineligible" would be evicted within 18 months. HUD's analysis demonstrates that more than 55,000 children, who are U.S. citizens or are otherwise eligible for housing benefits, could face eviction under the proposed rule. Furthermore, because mixed-status families only receive prorated shares of housing subsidies, HUD's analysis also shows that forcing those families out of federally-subsidized housing may result in spending millions of dollars in additional subsidy payments to support the same number of units occupied by families comprised entirely of eligible individuals. To account for these higher costs, HUD could be forced to reduce the quality and quantity of assisted housing. The proposed rule would be administratively burdensome to implement for housing authorities and private owners of Section 8-assisted properties. The rule would force housing providers to focus their resources on eviction, additional staff, and regulatory compliance, while diverting resources away from property maintenance and employment-related resident services, to pay for additional staff and regulatory compliance. To address our affordable housing crisis and ensure that everyone has a safe, accessible, and affordable place to call home, this resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States, to make new investments in affordable housing resources for the benefit of families of modest means, regardless of immigration status, rather than propose new housing rules that could create unnecessary crises for thousands people around the country, only because their family includes someone with ineligible immigration status. | In Committee |
| A3257 | Provides for reduction in suspended sentence, probation, or parole based on compliance with conditions of sentence; requires report on effect on recidivism. | This bill provides for a reduction in a defendant's suspended sentence, sentence of probation, or parole based on the defendant's compliance with the conditions of the sentence. The bill also requires studies and annual reports on recidivism that are required under current law to include data on the effect these reductions have on recidivism. The bill is modeled on a Missouri law which grants a sentence reduction through "earned compliance credits" to certain probationers and parolees as a reward for compliance with the terms of probation or parole. This law has resulted in an average reduction of a supervisory sentence by 14 months. It is the sponsor's intent to provide similar incentives in New Jersey for compliance with the terms of a suspended sentence or a sentence of probation or parole, and to enable a person to reenter society more quickly. Under current law, an earlier discharge from a period of probation may be granted to a defendant on application of a probation officer, the defendant, or the court's own motion. Under the bill, a defendant's term of suspension or period of probation will be reduced as a result of a defendant's compliance with the conditions of the suspension or probation. The bill provides that the period of suspension or probation will be reduced by 30 days for each full calendar month the defendant is in compliance with the conditions of suspension or probation. Currently, the Administrative Director of the Courts is required to record and analyze data concerning the recidivism of those sentenced to a period of probation, and prepare and transmit an annual report on the effectiveness of the State's rehabilitation initiatives and programs. This bill requires the Administrative Director also to consider how a reduction in the period of suspension or probation under the bill affects recidivism rates. Under current law, a parolee may be granted a complete discharge from parole prior to the expiration of the full maximum term, provided: 1) the parolee has made a satisfactory adjustment while on parole; 2) that continued supervision is not required; and 3) the parolee has made full payment of any fine or restitution required. Under the bill, a parolee who is in compliance with the terms of supervision also would be entitled to have the term of supervision reduced by 30 days for each full calendar month the parolee is in compliance. Under current law, the Commissioner of Corrections, in conjunction with the Juvenile Justice Commission and the State Parole Board, is required to record and analyze recidivism data and issue an annual report regarding the effectiveness of the State's reentry initiatives and programs. The provisions of the bill require the data and report also to include information on parolees who receive an earlier discharge under the bill. The bill provides that a person who has been sentenced to a special sentence of community supervision for life or parole supervision for life; or a parolee who has been convicted of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, kidnapping pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:13-1, endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child pursuant to subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:24-4, endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to paragraph (3), (4), or subparagraph (a) of paragraph (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:24-4; luring or enticing pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1993, c.291 (C.2C:13-6); kidnapping pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-1, criminal restraint pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-2, or false imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-3 if the victim is a minor and the offender is not the parent of the victim; knowingly promoting prostitution of a child pursuant to paragraphs (3) or (4) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:34-1; or an attempt to commit any of these offenses is not eligible to receive a reduction in the period of suspension, probation, or parole under the bill. With regard to a reduced term of suspension or probation under the bill, "compliance" is defined as the absence of a violation of a condition of suspension or probation as set forth in N.J.S.2C:45-1. With regard to an earlier discharge from parole under the bill, "compliance" is defined as the absence of a violation of the conditions of parole as set forth under subsection b. of section 15 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C.30:4-123.59). The appropriate board panel shall review a parolee's compliance and eligibility to receive a reduction under this section at least once every six months. | In Committee |
| A2996 | Requires cost of living increase to be granted in each of two State fiscal years when retirement allowance or benefit is below certain amount for retiree or beneficiary in PERS, TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, and JRS; makes appropriation. | This bill would provide for a cost of living increase for certain retired public employees and their beneficiaries who are receiving monthly payments from the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, Judicial Retirement System, Public Employees' Retirement System, Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System. The increase would be provided only to those retirees and beneficiaries who are currently receiving an amount that is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level as set for a household of one. The increase would be provided only on January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. The increase would be calculated in the same way that such increases were calculated when such increases were provided annually under the pension adjustment law, N.J.S.A.43:3B-1 et seq.; these annual increases were ended by law in 2011. However, the increase under this bill will be 100 percent of the change in the Consumer Price Index, instead of the 60 percent provided by the pension adjustment law. The bill requires the State to fund the cost of these increases and makes an appropriation for that purpose. | In Committee |
| A2272 | Establishes Department of Early Childhood. | This bill establishes as a new principal department within the Executive Branch, the Department of Early Childhood. The bill transfers the functions of the current Division of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Education to the Department of Early Childhood. In addition, the bill transfers to the new department:· all responsibilities of the Department of Education relating to students in grades preschool through three including, but not limited to, those parts of the following programs relating to this age group: teacher licensing; IDEA part B; Title I services; regional achievement centers; migrant and homeless education services; bilingual education services; parent training and information centers; and the New Jersey Council for Young Children;· all responsibilities of the Department of Human Services relating to children from pregnancy to age eight, including but not limited to, those parts of the following programs relating to this age group: subsidized child care programs and services; child care development block grants; wraparound care; New Jersey First Steps Infant Toddler Initiative; child care resource and referral agencies; childcare workforce registry; New Jersey School-Age child care; and New Jersey Inclusive Child Care; · all responsibilities of the Department of Children and Families relating to children from pregnancy to age eight including, but not limited to, those parts of the following programs relating to this age group: New Jersey Home Visitation Program; Help Me Grow Initiative; Project LAUNCH; New Jersey Strengthening Families Initiative; Project TEACH (Teen Education and Child Health); Parent Linking Program; and Family Success Centers; and· all responsibilities of the Department of Health relating to children from pregnancy to age eight, including but not limited to, those parts of the following programs relating to this age group: Improving Pregnancy Outcomes Program; New Jersey WIC Breastfeeding Services; services for perinatal mood disorders; home visitation programs; early intervention system under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and NJ Early Care and Education Learning Collaborative Project (NJ ECELC). The bill transfers all the functions of the Department of Children and Families regarding the licensing of child care centers and the registration of family child care providers to the new Department of Early Childhood. The bill requires the Commissioner of Early Childhood, in consultation with the Commissioners of Education, Human Services, Children and Families, and Health, to develop a schedule for the orderly transfer of programs relating to early childhood and child nutrition to the new department. | In Committee |
| A1377 | Requires notice of development applications be given to residential tenants on that property. | This bill is intended to ensure that residential tenants receive notice of hearings on applications for development of the property on which the tenancy is located. The bill requires owners or landlords who are development applicants to deliver notice of a hearing on the development application to each residential tenant by either provide that notice of a hearing on an application for development for a property with a residential tenant shall be given to each residential tenant by one of three procedures: (1) by personal service, or (2) by mailing a copy by certified mail to the tenant's mailing address, as known to the property owner or landlord, or (3) by requiring that the property owner or landlord shall post the hearing notice in a conspicuous place in at least one interior common area accessible to residential tenants, at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing and, to the extent practicable, maintain the posting until the day following the date of the hearing. The posting requirement would not be an option if there is no interior common area. A landlord or owner would not be able to obtain approval for a development application until filing a certification with the municipal agency that he or she has complied with the tenants' notice requirements. | In Committee |
| A1376 | Requires health insurance coverage for hair headpieces for patients receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. | This bill requires hospital, medical and health service corporations, individual and small and large group commercial health insurers and health maintenance organizations which provide coverage for prostheses, to provide coverage for expenses for headpieces of human or artificial hair worn to conceal scalp hair loss resulting from chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The coverage shall be subject to a written recommendation by the treating physician stating that the headpiece is medically necessary. Also, the coverage shall be subject to the same limitations and guidelines as for other prostheses under the health benefits plan. The provisions of the bill will take effect 60 days after the date of enactment and will apply to all health benefits plans issued or renewed on or after that date. | In Committee |
| A1366 | Directs public utilities and pipeline operators to reimburse municipalities for certain emergency services. | This bill directs public utilities and pipeline operators to reimburse municipalities for all actual and related costs a municipality incurs in providing emergency services to respond to any emergency involving a pipeline. With the exception of volunteer personnel, the bill directs public utilities and pipeline operators to reimburse a municipality for the cost of emergency services equal to the hourly wages of the emergency services personnel. The bill directs public utilities and pipeline operators to reimburse a municipality for the cost of emergency services by any volunteer at a rate equal to that of volunteer services under any applicable assistance program administered by the federal government. In this bill, "emergency" means any circumstance caused by a person or event, except any natural disaster, which includes, but is not limited to, fire, flood, earthquake, or storm, resulting in the escape of a conveyed commodity from a pipeline that constitutes a clear and present danger to life, health, or property. "Emergency services" means the provision of services by municipal law enforcement, firefighting, paramedic, and medical personnel, including volunteer personnel, provided by a municipal authority to ensure the health or safety of a person or property during an emergency. | In Committee |
| A1378 | Requires adult corrections officers in State facilities to complete in-service training program. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Corrections, in consultation with the Police Training Commission, to develop and implement an in-service training program for adult corrections officers appointed by the State who have satisfactorily completed the basic training course approved by the commission. The program curriculum would be developed by the commissioner based upon a needs assessment and in compliance with the standards of the American Correctional Association. The commissioner is to design the program to accommodate the experience level of individual corrections officers. Officers would be required to satisfactorily complete the in-service training program. | In Committee |
| A1369 | "Addi's Law"; makes parent's conviction for murder of child's other parent grounds for termination of parental rights. | This bill, designated "Addi's Law," amends section 15 of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-15) to make a parent's conviction for the murder of a child's other parent grounds for termination of parental rights. Specifically, if the parent of a child has been found by a criminal court to have committed murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter of the child's other parent, to have aided or abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit the murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter, or to have committed, or attempted to commit, an assault or similarly serious act which resulted, or could have resulted, in the death or significant bodily injury to the child's other parent, the bill would require the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) in the Department of Children and Families to file a petition to terminate the parent's parental rights. Currently, the law requires DCPP to file a petition to terminate the parental rights of a parent who has been found by a criminal court to have committed murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter of another child of the parent, to have aided or abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit the murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter of the child or another child of the parent, or to have committed, or attempted to commit, an assault or similarly serious act which resulted, or could have resulted, in the death or significant bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent, but not if the offenses were committed against the child's other parent. Under the provisions of the bill, prior to filing or seeking to join as a party to a petition for the termination of parental rights of the parent of a child who has been found to have committed murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter of the child's other parent, or to have aided and abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit the murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter, or to have committed, or attempted to commit, an assault or similarly serious act which resulted, or could have resulted, in the death or significant bodily injury of the child's other parent, DCPP would be permitted to take into account whether the parent, at the time the offenses were committed, was a victim of domestic violence or reasonably believed that the parent was protecting himself or herself or the parent's children against the use of unlawful force by the other parent. Current law requires DCPP to file or to seek to be joined as a party to a petition for termination of parental rights as soon as any of the circumstances set forth in the law are established, unless DCPP establishes an exception to the requirement to seek termination of parental rights in accordance with section 31 of P.L.1999, c.53 (C.30:4C-15.3). The law does not require DCPP, at any time during the filing of a petition for termination of parental rights, to take into account whether the parent was a victim of domestic violence or believed that the parent was acting in self-defense or in defense of the parent's children. This bill is named "Addi's Law," in honor of Merry Abernathy, a mother who was murdered by her partner. After the murder, Merry's partner tried to claim custody of their child, Addison. "Addi's Law" is modeled after a North Carolina statute that allows the court to terminate the parental rights of a child's parent who has committed certain offenses (murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit murder or manslaughter, or assault resulting in death or significant bodily injury) against the child's other parent. | In Committee |
| A5934 | Establishes the "Food is Medicine NJ Pilot Program" in DHS; appropriates $5,000,000. | Establishes the "Food is Medicine NJ Pilot Program" in DHS; appropriates $5,000,000. | 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | 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 |
| Committee | Position | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detail | New Jersey General Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee | 8 | |
| Detail | New Jersey General Assembly Labor Committee | 12 | |
| Detail | New Jersey Joint Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Committee | 2 | |
| Detail | New Jersey Joint Public Schools Committee | 5 |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Assembly District 34 | Assembly | Democrat | In Office | 01/09/2024 |