Legislator
Legislator > Gary Schaer

State Assemblymember
Gary Schaer
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Assembly District 36
In Office - Started: 01/10/2006
contact info
Passaic Office
1 Howe Ave.
Suite 401
Passaic, NJ 07055
Suite 401
Passaic, NJ 07055
Phone: 973-249-3665
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 |
---|---|---|---|
A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | This bill requires that enrollment for health care coverage under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) for eligible resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, including University Hospital, and their dependents, be available on the first day of employment for new hires, and on the bill's effective date for such current employees. Delays in health care coverage and access to life-saving medicine can be dangerous and cause debilitating health care debt during emergencies. In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor signed Executive Order 172 allowing public employees to immediately enroll in the SHBP. However, the ability to immediately enroll was eliminated when the Governor later signed Executive Order 244 in 2021, which ended the public health emergency. This bill provides for immediate enrollment for eligible resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, including University Hospital, and their dependents. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
A5195 | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Crossed Over |
A5383 | Requires unrestricted Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. | Requires unrestricted Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. | Crossed Over |
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 |
S4632 | Establishes grant program in DOE for public schools to purchase and install point-of-use filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets. | An Act concerning the installation of 1point-of-use1 filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets in public schools and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
A5812 | Establishes grant program in DOE for public schools to purchase and install point-of-use filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a School Lead Filters program to provide grants, subject to available appropriations, for the purchase and installation of point-of-use filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets in public schools no later than 180 days after enactment of the bill. Public schools that wish to apply to the program are to apply to the Department of Education for a grant in a form and manner as determined by the commissioner. The bill requires the commissioner to advertise the availability of the grants to public schools, including publishing information about the program on the department's Internet website. The bill requires the commissioner to give priority to public schools that demonstrate significant water quality issues, as evidenced by test results, reports from the Department of Environmental Protection, or reliable data sources indicating elevated levels of lead and other contaminants in drinking water, as well as to public schools that have not already installed point-of-use filtered bottle-filling stations or filtered faucets. The bill permits the commissioner to develop and disseminate guidance to public schools to assist in the development of plans for installing point-of-use filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets. The resources may include information on factors that a school should consider when selecting point-of-use filtered bottle-filling stations, filtered faucets, and filter cartridges. The bill requires the commissioner to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than six months after the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The report is to contain information on the implementation of the grant program and information on the number of grants applied for, the number of grants awarded, and the commissioner's recommendation as to how much additional funding would be needed to match total demand in all public schools. It is the sponsor's intent to establish a program to assist school districts in installing filtered bottle-filling stations and filtered faucets in order to better protect children's health. Poor drinking water, and in particular, exposure to lead, contributes to significant health problems. Because children are still growing, their bodies absorb more lead than adults. Negative health impacts of contaminated drinking water include anemia, kidney and brain damage, learning disabilities, and decreased growth. | 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 |
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 |
S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | An Act 2[increasing the amount of the tax credits provided for investments made in emerging technology businesses under] making various changes to2 the "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act2[,]2" 2[and amending P.L.1997, c.349 and P.L.2013, c.14] and the Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program, revising various parts of the statutory law, and repealing parts of P.L.2020, c.1562. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
A4455 | Allows exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from sale or exchange of qualified small business stock. | An Act allowing an exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from the sale or exchange of qualified small business stock and supplementing Title 54A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
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. | 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. | Passed |
A2365 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | In Committee |
A3558 | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; appropriates $100,000. | This bill establishes a State definition of anti-Semitism. Under the bill, the term "definition of anti-Semitism" refers to the definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016, including the "contemporary examples of antisemitism". The bill provides that in reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any policy, law, or regulation prohibiting discriminatory acts, the State must take into consideration this definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the IHRA for purposes of determining whether the alleged act was motivated by anti-Semitic intent. Nothing contained in the bill would be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, or paragraph 6 of Article I of the New Jersey State Constitution. Nothing in the bill would be construed to conflict with local, State, or federal anti-discrimination laws or regulations. This bill also appropriates $100,000 to the Office of the Attorney General for the creation of a public awareness campaign to promote bias crime reporting. Through extensive community outreach, the citizens of New Jersey will be empowered to identify and report bias crimes using the existing bias crime reporting hotline within the New Jersey Bias Crimes Reporting Unit. This appropriation represents an investment in safety and collective action against bias crimes, including acts considered anti-Semitic. | In Committee |
A5867 | Concerns licensure of persons in New Jersey who provide professional barbering services in another state or foreign country. | This bill provides that persons who, prior to moving to New Jersey, rendered barbering services in another state or foreign country that does not issue licenses to provide barbering services, may qualify for a provisional permit under the three-year pilot program, which was established in P.L.2019, c.20 (C.45:5B-28) and is extended for an additional three years. The pilot program is applicable to a pilot city, which is defined to mean Elizabeth, Passaic, Paterson, and Perth Amboy. Under the bill, a provisional permit issued under the pilot program is to be valid for a period of 120 days and is subject to an extension if the applicant continues to meet the criteria of the pilot program and the application for issuance of a license remains pending. Under current law, the three-year pilot program applies only to those persons who possess a license to render barbering services in another state or foreign country and who meet certain other criteria. | In Committee |
A2918 | Requires State to provide recipients of State tax refunds, unemployment insurance benefits and State employee compensation certain payment options. | This bill requires certain State payments to be made available to recipients in the form of a paper check. Under the bill, the appropriate state agencies are required to provide State employees, taxpayers, and unemployment insurance (UI) benefit claimants the option to receive their payment in the form of a paper check. With respect to UI benefit payments, the bill requires the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance to provide UI claimants with written notice of benefit payment options. The written notice requires a claimant's signature designating his benefit payment method as prepaid debit card, direct deposit, or paper check. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development has already entered a partnership with Bank of America to provide debit card accounts to UI claimants. Beginning November 1, 2010, the department began automatically converting claimants who receive benefits by paper check to prepaid debit cards. At this time, paper checks are no longer issued to claimants. Currently, a claimant will automatically receive a debit card, unless he chooses to register for direct deposit. This bill ensures that claimants may opt to receive benefit payments in the form of a paper check as an alternative to prepaid debit cards or direct deposit. With respect to State employee compensation, the bill requires the State Treasurer to disburse a State employee's net pay in the form indicated in writing by the employee. If an employee indicates, in writing to the proper disbursing officer, his desire to have his net pay disbursed in the form of a paper check the State Treasurer shall disburse the employee's net pay in the form indicated by the employee. This provision would apply to all State entities, including any person holding public office, position or employment, whose compensation is paid by the State or by any board, body, agency, authority or commission thereof, whether or not the entity is part of the State centralized payroll system including public institutions of higher education. The bill also provides that the Director of the Division of Taxation shall provide a taxpayer due a refund of any State tax payment the option of receiving the refund in the form of a paper check. | 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 |
A4854 | Modifies method of allocating State aid for providing auxiliary and remedial services to nonpublic school students. | Modifies method of allocating State aid for providing auxiliary and remedial services to nonpublic school students. | Crossed Over |
A3019 | Requires new flooring for schools, community centers, and child care centers to be certified mercury-free. | Requires new flooring for schools, community centers, and child care centers to be certified mercury-free. | In Committee |
A1841 | Expands requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screening and requires coverage be provided without cost sharing. | Expands requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screening and requires coverage be provided without cost sharing. | In Committee |
A3940 | Modifies regulation of mortuary science and establishes oversight of mortuary and embalming science. | An Act concerning the practice of funeral directing and embalming, and supplementing P.L.1952, c.340 (C.45:7-32 et seq.) and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
A4163 | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | An Act concerning health insurance coverage for biomarker precision medical testing and supplementing various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
S3848 | Concerns alcoholic beverage licenses for sporting facilities. | An Act concerning alcoholic beverage licenses for sporting facilities and amending R.S.33:1-12. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
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 |
A4051 | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | In Committee |
A4848 | Requires health care professionals to perform lead screening on pregnant persons under certain circumstances. | Requires health care professionals to perform lead screening on pregnant persons under certain circumstances. | Crossed Over |
A5007 | Concerns alcoholic beverage licenses for sporting facilities. | Concerns alcoholic beverage licenses for sporting facilities. | In Committee |
A5354 | Increases access to substance use disorder treatment; Requires Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services provided by community-based organizations. | This bill expands access to substance use disorder treatment in the State by revising various laws and regulations concerning substance use disorder and opioid treatment programs and establishing Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services provided by community-based organizations. The bill clarifies current law to remove language concerning an outdated certificate of need requirement for a substance use disorder treatment center located within 500 feet from any building in this State used for the instruction of children between the ages of five and 18 years. The bill provides that an opioid treatment program may voluntarily establish a medication unit that will be associated with a single primary opioid treatment program that will oversee the unit's operations. All required services that cannot be performed at the medication unit will be performed by the primary opioid treatment program. A medication unit may provide the following services if it provides appropriate privacy and adequate space: intake and initial psychosocial and appropriate medical assessments; initiation of medication-assisted treatment including, but not limited to, methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone; and telecounseling services. The bill provides that an opioid treatment program:· will not be required to engage, employ, or contract with a pharmacist;· may only require a patient to receive a minimum of eight random drug screenings per year;· will provide or coordinate harm reduction services for each patient as appropriate to the patient's treatment plan; and· will establish a counseling schedule for each patient based on an individualized treatment plan approved and documented by the patient's multidisciplinary treatment team. The bill provides that a patient will not be precluded from receiving treatment or medication for opioid use disorder from an opioid treatment program solely on the basis of the patient's refusal of counseling. The bill provides that an opioid treatment program's discharge policy may not permit the administrative discharge of a patient due to missed doses, non-participation, and continued illicit substance use, except under certain circumstances as outlined in the bill. The bill permits a patient to receive treatment from another opioid treatment program under certain conditions provided under the bill. The bill establishes certain Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services provided by a licensed community-based organization. The bill requires the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, to establish standards and requirements for the licensure of community-based organizations and for the provision of substance use disorder services by licensed community-based organizations. Under the bill, the commissioner will establish a program to provide training and technical assistance to help community-based organizations meet any licensure and provider enrollment standards established by the commissioner and the Medicaid program. | In Committee |
A2792 | Concerns development of accessory dwelling units and related municipal land use regulations. | Concerns development of accessory dwelling units and related municipal land use regulations. | In Committee |
S3179 | Concerns certain emergency operations plans required to be submitted to law enforcement agencies. | An Act concerning certain emergency operations plans and amending P.L.2010, c.78. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
A5152 | Reschedules June 2025 primary election date; provides for adjustment of certain election related deadlines. | An Act concerning the date of the June 2025 primary election and adjustment of certain election related deadlines. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
A2941 | Concerns certain emergency operations plans required to be submitted to law enforcement agencies. | This bill concerns certain emergency operations plans that are required to be submitted to law enforcement agencies. Under current law, all sports and entertainment facilities, movie theaters, and places of worship are required to annually prepare an emergency operations plan in coordination with the appropriate local fire, law enforcement, and emergency response agencies. A copy of the plan is to be filed with the municipal emergency management coordinator and the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the sports and entertainment facility, movie theater, or place of worship is situated. The plan is required to include a copy of the building plans or building layout that identifies the internal and external access routes. Under the provisions of this bill, all sports and entertainment facilities, movie theaters, and places of worship are required to file the emergency operations plan in an electronic format that is compatible with public safety software systems. In addition, the bill requires the emergency operations plan to include emergency mapping data. The bill defines "emergency mapping data" as a digital representation of a building's interior and exterior that is verified for accuracy by a person and provided to public safety officials as set forth under current law electronically and in a printable format through existing public safety software systems. The bill requires the emergency mapping data to include an aerial image of the building; a geospatially referenced floor plan or building schematic; site specific labeling of rooms, suite numbers, and key features; locations of hazardous material and utility shut-offs; and any other relevant information. Current law defines "place of worship" to mean a building capable of seating more than 500 people, including but not limited to a church, mosque, or synagogue, used primarily as a place of public or private worship on a permanent basis by a recognized and established religious sect or denomination registered as a not-for-profit organization pursuant to current law. This bill changes that definition from a building capable of seating more than 500 people to a building capable of seating more than 300 people. It is the intent of the sponsor to bring the provisions of this law in line with the provisions of current law requiring schools to submit certain data regarding school buildings and grounds to law enforcement. | In Committee |
A5149 | Reschedules June 2025 primary election date; provides for adjustment of date on which primary elections will be held if date coincides with period of religious observance. | This bill reschedules the June 3, 2025 primary to take place on June 10, 2025, the following Tuesday, in order to accommodate a period of religious observance. The bill requires the Secretary of State to inform all county clerks, county boards of election, superintendents of elections, municipal clerks, and members of the public at large in this State of the rescheduled primary election day no later than seven days following the effective date of this bill. The Secretary of State will also be required to make all necessary adjustments to all deadlines required to be met ahead of a primary election pursuant to Title 19 of the Revised Statutes, and publish a calendar containing the adjusted dates to be used for the 2025 primary election pursuant to the bill This bill also requires the Secretary of State to reschedule the date of primary elections in any future year if the date of the primary elections coincides with a period of religious observance that limits significantly the usual activities of the followers of a particular religion or that would result in significant religious consequences for such followers. In such a scenario, the secretary must inform all county clerks, county boards of election, superintendents of elections, municipal clerks, and members of the public at large in this State of the rescheduled primary election no later than the first working day in January of the year in which the rescheduled election is to occur. Whenever the date of a primary election is rescheduled, the Secretary of State will be required to make all necessary adjustments to all deadlines required to be met ahead of a primary election pursuant to Title 19 of the Revised Statutes, and publish a calendar containing the adjusted dates to be used for that primary election pursuant to the bill. The bill defines "a period of religious observance" as any day or portion thereof on which a religious observance imposes a substantial burden on an individual's ability to vote in person on election day. | In Committee |
AR172 | Condemns attacks on Jewish individuals in Amsterdam and calls for apprehension of perpetrators. | On November 9 and 10, 1938, Nazi leaders unleashed a series of violent riots against the Jewish population in Germany and recently incorporated territories. This came to be known as Kristallnacht, the "Night of Broken Glass," because of the shattered glass that littered the streets after the vandalism and destruction of Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues, and homes. On November 7, 2024, following a UEFA Europa League football match in Amsterdam between Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch AFC Ajax, tensions escalated to violence. In the hours before the match, a group of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were filmed pulling Palestinian flags from houses, making anti-Arab chants such as "Death to Arabs," assaulting people, and vandalizing local property, and calls to target Israeli supporters were shared via social media. After the match, many Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were ambushed and assaulted across the city, individuals were shot with fireworks, physically assaulted, and spat on, prompting eight rescue flights to be organized for the safe return of Israeli fans. November 9 and 10, 2024 should have commemorated Kristallnacht, yet on this day in Amsterdam, the world witnessed a present where hatred of Jews resurfaced in the streets. Eighty-six years have passed, and once again, Jews face broken windows, while antisemitism and hatred towards Jewish people remains alive. This House stands in solidarity with the victims of the violence in Amsterdam, strongly condemns these events, and calls for the apprehension of the perpetrators and justice from the Dutch authorities. | In Committee |
A5150 | Transfers Division of Food and Nutrition from Department of Agriculture to DHS; appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | This bill would transfer the Division of Food and Nutrition from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Human Services. This bill also appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for certain farmland preservation purposes. Of the funding provided by the bill, $115.091 million is appropriated to the SADC to pay the cost of acquisition by the SADC of development easements on, or fee simple titles to, farmland, to provide grants to counties and municipalities for up to 80 percent of the cost of acquisition of fee simple titles to farmland, and to provide grants to qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations for up to 50 percent of the cost of acquisition of fee simple titles to farmland, for farmland preservation purposes for projects approved as eligible for such funding pursuant to: the "Agricultural Retention and Development Act"; the "Garden State Preservation Trust Act"; and the "Preserve New Jersey Act." The bill also appropriates to the SADC such sums from any additional proceeds which may become available, by the effective date of the bill, due to the lease or conveyance of farmland previously acquired in fee simple by the SADC, for the purpose of providing for the cost of acquisition by the SADC of development easements and fee simple titles to farmland for farmland preservation purposes. The appropriations in this bill for the acquisition of fee simple titles and development easements to farmland have been approved by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust. This bill also appropriates from the "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" to the SADC: $12 million for organizational, administrative, and other work and services, including salaries, equipment, materials, and services necessary to administer the applicable provisions of the "Preserve New Jersey Act"; $1 million for costs associated with the acquisition of farmland development easements, including appraisal, survey, and title costs; and $150,000 for the costs associated with legal advice and representation in connection with the committee's enforcement of development easements acquired for farmland preservation purposes pursuant to P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.). The Division of Food and Nutrition in the Department of Agriculture administers various food and nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program, the Afterschool Snack Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Child and Adult Day Care Food Program, the Family Day Care Program, the Commodity Food Distribution program, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program, among others. The transfers effectuated by the bill will take place immediately and be subject to the provisions of the "State Agency Transfer Act," P.L.1971, c.375 (C.52:14D-1 et seq.), which sets forth standard requirements for transferring the funds, employees, rules and regulations, equipment, and property of, and actions or proceedings involving, a State agency that is subject to transfer from one instrumentality of the State to another. | 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 |
S3201 | Upgrades certain penalties for assaulting law enforcement officer and requires offender to be tested for communicable diseases in certain instances. | An Act upgrading certain penalties for assault and requiring testing for communicable diseases, and revising various parts of statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
A1858 | Allows public bodies to conduct meetings by electronic means. | Allows public bodies to conduct meetings by electronic means. | In Committee |
A2940 | Establishes minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for pediatric special care nursing facilities. | This bill requires the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) within the Department of Human Services to establish a minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate of $950.00 per day for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs). Pediatric SCNFs provide specialized, long-term care and rehabilitation to medically fragile children and youth, up to 21 years of age. The bill, however, conditions the provision of this minimum reimbursement rate upon a facility's compliance with applicable State and federal laws and regulations concerning licensure, patient safety, and quality of care. The bill additionally appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services such sums as are necessary to implement this reimbursement rate increase. New Jersey currently has four pediatric SCNFs that participate in the State Medicaid program and the NJ FamilyCare program: the Pediatric Long Term Care Center at Children's Specialized Hospital (Mountainside and Toms River), the Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatrics (Haskell), and the Voorhees Pediatric Facility (Voorhees). | In Committee |
A4879 | Requires certain actions prior to withholding nonpublic school aid for nonpublic school's failure to meet certain health and safety requirements. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to take certain actions prior to withholding nonpublic school State aid for a nonpublic school's failure to meet certain health and safety requirements. The bill requires that, in the event the commissioner determines that a nonpublic school has failed to comply with or attest to compliance with the health and safety requirements of nonpublic school facilities, the commissioner is to first provide written notice to the nonpublic school. Upon receipt of the written notice, the nonpublic school has 60 days to take corrective action, as determined by the commissioner, to meet the health and safety requirements. The bill permits the commissioner to grant an extension of up to 30 days upon written request from the nonpublic school. If the nonpublic school does not comply with or attest to compliance with the health and safety requirements within this time period, the bill requires the nonpublic school, in cooperation with the Department of Education, to develop an improvement plan to address the applicable health and safety requirements. The improvement plan is subject to the approval of the commissioner. The commissioner is to review the plan within 60 days of its receipt. Upon approval, the commissioner is to provide the nonpublic school with any technical assistance outlined in the plan. The bill stipulates that a nonpublic school is to have one year from the approval of the school's improvement plan to comply with or attest to compliance with the health and safety requirements. A nonpublic school that does not submit a required improvement plan may be subject to the withholding of nonpublic school aid. If, following the time provided to take corrective action and the establishment of the improvement plan, the nonpublic school does not comply with or attest to compliance with the applicable health and safety requirements, the bill permits the commissioner to take one or both of the following actions: (1) order the nonpublic school to show cause why the commissioner should not withhold nonpublic school aid from the school; or (2) direct the State Treasurer to withhold nonpublic school aid from the school. The provisions of the bill are not to be construed to prohibit a municipality, a municipal code enforcement agency, or the State from taking actions permitted by law, except for the withholding of nonpublic school aid, if a nonpublic school fails to meet the applicable health and safety requirements. The bill also stipulates that the provisions of the bill are not to be construed to waive the health and safety requirements of nonpublic school facilities. | In Committee |
A4887 | Requires helmet while operating bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter. | This bill requires all persons to wear a helmet when bicycling, roller skating, or skateboarding. Current law requires persons 17 years of age and younger to wear a helmet when bicycling, roller skating, or skateboarding. This bill also extends the helmet requirement to operators of non-motorized and motorized scooters. Under current law, it is unlawful to manufacture, assemble, sell, offer to sell, or distribute bicycles, roller skates, or skateboards without a warning notice advising customers of the legal provisions concerning the wearing of approved helmets and appropriate personal protection equipment, and persons selling or renting bicycles, roller skates, or skateboards are required to advise their customers of these legal provisions and make helmets available to persons subject to the helmet requirement. Businesses complying with these requirements would not be liable in a civil action for damages for any physical injury sustained by a bicyclist, roller skater, or skateboarder who fails to wear a helmet. The bill expands these requirements and civil immunity provisions to non-motorized and motorized scooters. The bill does not amend section 8 of P.L.1997, c.411 (C.39:4-10.12), and therefore, it is the sponsor's understanding that the bill's provisions do not apply to operators and patrons of roller skating rinks subject to the "New Jersey Roller Skating Rink Safety and Fair Liability Act," P.L.1991, c.28 (C.5:14-1 et seq.). | In Committee |
A4134 | Requires homemaker-home health aide and nursing assistant certification examinations to be translated into multiple languages. | Requires homemaker-home health aide and nursing assistant certification examinations to be translated into multiple languages. | Crossed Over |
AR159 | Commemorates anniversary of October 7th attack on Israel. | On October 7, 2023, just after the 50th anniversary of the start of the multi-front 1973 Yom Kippur War against Israel, the terrorist organization Hamas carried out a brutal attack against the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The attack began in the early morning when Hamas launched thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip that reached as far as Tel Aviv and the outskirts of Jerusalem, and then infiltrated Israeli towns and army bases in the south, including a gathering of young people at a music festival. The armed terrorists launched a coordinated strike arriving in boats, paragliders, motorcycles, and other vehicles. News reports, survivor accounts, images, and videos from the scenes of this horrific attack show that Hamas terrorists slaughtered ordinary civilians and entire families, including babies and elderly people, set houses on fire, raped women, and took hostages. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, 1,200 people were confirmed dead in Israel, including American citizens, and another 3,400 were injured. The October 7th attack was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern history, resulting in more Jews killed that day than on any single day since the Holocaust. On October 7th, Hamas took 251 men, women, and children hostage from Israel into Gaza, including American citizens, and kept them in inhumane and torturous conditions, including in cramped underground tunnels, since their kidnapping. One of the American hostages taken into captivity by Hamas, Edan Alexander, is a resident of Tenafly, New Jersey, and is still being held in captivity. Hamas has executed many of these hostages, including six individuals who were shot at close range on August 29, 2024 as Israeli Defense Forces approached their location. Israeli authorities believe that 101 of the hostages who were kidnapped on October 7th remain in captivity, and it is believed that only 64 individuals remain alive. The October 7th terror attack prompted a defensive war against Hamas by the Israeli Defense Forces. Many thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians have been wounded and killed by Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leaders, militants, and command and control positions. A large percentage of Palestinian civilians have been displaced and are now living in makeshift shelters with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. The suffering and death which has occurred as a result of the October 7th attacks are tragic and horrific. It is therefore fitting and proper for New Jersey to commemorate the anniversary of the October 7th attack by Hamas against Israel, to mourn the lives that were lost as a result, condemn any and all acts of terrorism, stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and the Palestinian people, call for the release of all hostages, and support efforts seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. | In Committee |
A2378 | Upgrades certain penalties for assaulting law enforcement officer and requires offender to be tested for communicable diseases in certain instances. | Upgrades certain penalties for assaulting law enforcement officer and requires offender to be tested for communicable diseases in certain instances. | In Committee |
A4851 | Concerns notification requirements for certain utility assistance programs; repeals law establishing notification requirements for public and local utilities during coronavirus 2019 pandemic. | This bill amends existing notification requirements for certain utility assistance programs. Under current law, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and any other State agency that administers a utility assistance program is required to update all public information, including written materials, advertisements, and websites, regarding the availability of any utility assistance programs administered by the State. The public information is to prominently include a statement of the consumer protections residential customers are required to receive if the customer has submitted an application for a utility assistance program or completed an application for a utility assistance program. Each local authority, municipal utility, public utility, or rural electric cooperative is required under current law to provide the same public information in any communication to a residential customer in connection with an overdue utility bill. Under the bill, definitions are included for the terms "local authority," municipal utility," and "public utility." The bill adds a requirement that the DCA, the DHS, the BPU, and any other State agency that administers a utility assistance program maintain the required public information current and that they provide a phone number for customers to call for more information. The required public information is to prominently include, for as long as a utility assistance program is accepting applications and has available funding, a statement of the consumer protections a residential customer is entitled to receive if the customer has submitted an application for a utility assistance program or completed an application for a utility assistance program. The bill requires that each local authority, municipal utility, public utility, or rural electric cooperative prominently provide the public information required by the bill: (1) on each bill sent to a residential customer; (2) in any written or non-written communication to a residential customer in connection with an overdue utility bill; and (3) on its Internet website, in a location most likely to be seen by residential customers seeking information about paying their bills. Additionally, a local authority, municipal utility, public utility, or rural electric cooperative is required to include, in the public information, information on any utility assistance program, including any program not administered by the State, that it knows is available to its customers. Such utility assistance programs include, but are not limited to, any program funded or administered, in whole or in part, by the local authority, municipal utility, public utility, or rural electric cooperative. The bill provides that a utility bill or written communication in connection with an overdue utility bill may comply with this public information requirement if it prominently includes, in English and the most common language spoken, apart from English, in the county where the residential customer resides: (1) a statement that utility assistance programs may be available to residential customers; (2) an Internet website and a phone number residential customers can use to get more information on each relevant program; and (3) during the months in which the "Winter Termination Program" is active, a notice of residential customer rights under the program. The bill also repeals P.L.2021, c.97, a law requiring public utilities and local utilities to provide certain notifications to residential customers of information and resources available to residential customers concerning public utility and local utility service and bill payment assistance during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. Under P.L.2021, c.97, the notification is required to be provided monthly, in a form and manner determined by the Board of Public Utilities or Department of Community Affairs until 18 months after the date of the termination of Executive Order No. 103 of 2020, which authorized the State of Emergency in response to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. P.L.2021, c.97 also requires the information to be published on public utilities' and local utilities' Internet websites. Under this bill, the notification requirements of P.L.2021, c.97 are repealed. | In Committee |
A4853 | Permits Secretary of Higher Education to appoint antisemitism monitor to any institution of higher education; requires institution to implement recommendations of antisemitism monitor. | This bill authorizes the Secretary of Higher Education to appoint, at the secretary's discretion, an antisemitism monitor to any institution of higher education in the State. Under the bill, the responsibilities of the antisemitism monitor include: (1) reviewing institution policies related to combatting antisemitism and protecting Jewish students and staff, and how those policies are implemented and enforced; (2) reviewing the efforts of the institution in developing a safe academic environment for Jewish students and staff; and (3) establishing a procedure for members of the campus community to report an incident of antisemitism, including information, as applicable, on the institution's response to the incident. The monitor is to permit the submission of anonymous reports. The bill directs an antisemitism monitor to issue quarterly progress reports to the secretary and the governing board of the institution, or on a schedule determined by the secretary. The progress report shall detail the monitor's findings and include: (1) recommendations to the institution; and (2) recommendations to the Legislature. The bill also requires the institution to implement the recommendations of the antisemitism monitor. The bill directs the salary of an antisemitism monitor to be fixed by the secretary and paid by the institution. The bill requires an institution of higher education to provide the support and access to the monitor as may be necessary for the monitor to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Under the bill, the failure of an institution to comply with the bill's provisions may, at the recommendation of the secretary, result in: (a) a reduction or total withdrawal of State support for operational and capital costs of the institution; or (b) the loss of eligibility for students enrolled at the institution in student assistance programs administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. | 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 |
A3800 | Bans certain children's products containing excessive amounts of lead, mercury, or cadmium. | Bans certain children's products containing excessive amounts of lead, mercury, or cadmium. | Crossed Over |
A4823 | Empowers State Parole Board to refer certain inmates for involuntary commitment evaluation. | This bill gives the New Jersey State Parole Board ("parole board") the authority to refer inmates, who are dangerous to themselves or others because of mental illness or who are sexually violent predators, to the Attorney General ("AG") and applicable county prosecutor to start the involuntary commitment evaluation process in order to ensure that the inmates are not released without appropriate supervision and treatment. Under current law, when an adult or juvenile inmate is scheduled for release due to expiration of the inmate's maximum term, the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections ("commissioner") or the Juvenile Justice Commission ("JJC") is to notify the AG and the prosecutor of the county if the person was convicted of certain sexually-based offenses that the court found was characterized by a pattern of repetitive, compulsive behavior, or the parole board or the superintendent of the facility in which the inmate has been confined has advised the commissioner or the JJC that the conduct of the inmate during the period of confinement, the inmate's mental condition, or the inmate's past history indicates that the inmate may be in need of involuntary commitment. This bill amends the law to now also expressly provide the parole board as having this authority to make the initial referral to the AG and prosecutor to start the evaluation process to determine whether an inmate is in need of involuntary commitment. This bill also amends the law to allow the parole board, commissioner, or the JJC to make the referral at the time an inmate would otherwise become eligible for parole, not just at the expiration of an inmate's maximum term. | In Committee |
A2619 | Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution. | Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution. | Crossed Over |
S3519 | Provides monies for EDA to purchase certain properties from NJT to maximize development potential; appropriates $65 million. | An Act concerning the purchase of certain properties owned by the New Jersey Transmit Corporation, amending P.L.1992, c.16, supplementing Title 34 of the Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
A4709 | Provides monies for EDA to purchase certain properties from NJT to maximize development potential; appropriates $65 million. | This bill provides the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) with monies to be used to purchase properties from the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) that the EDA identifies as suitable for, among other purposes, development, rehabilitation, and leasing opportunities that maximize the development potential of the properties. Under the bill, the EDA would be permitted to access funds from the EDA's economic growth account in an amount not less than $35,000,000. Purposes for which these funds may be used under the bill would include construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvements, alterations, equipping, maintenance, and repairs of certain properties that are identified as suitable to economic growth potential. The EDA would also be permitted to award and enter into construction contracts, purchase orders, and other contracts with respect to such properties. Additionally, the bill appropriates an amount not to exceed $65 million from the General Fund to the EDA for the purpose of purchasing properties from NJT that are identified by the EDA to maximize the development potential of such properties. Under the bill, the EDA would be required to purchase the properties at a price based on appraisals obtained by the EDA of the highest and best use value of the properties, and NJT would be required to maintain a participation interest in each property. The bill also provides that if the EDA sells or leases any of these properties to a public or private entity, the EDA would be required to pay no less than 33 percent of the proceeds of the sale or lease, as applicable, to NJT. The bill requires the EDA to notify the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (JBOC) that properties have been identified, but before the purchase of any land, in order for the EDA and NJT to provide JBOC with a joint presentation regarding details of the proposed conveyance. The bill further requires the EDA to notify JBOC before developing, redeveloping, constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating, renovating, selling, leasing, subleasing, or contributing as an investment the properties acquired from NJT. This EDA presentation would detail the intended actions to be taken with respect to the properties. | In Committee |
A4675 | Requires child care centers to test for and remediate lead in drinking water, and disclose test results. | This bill would require child care centers to test for and remediate lead in drinking water, and disclose their test results. Specifically, under the bill, each child care center would be required to undertake periodic testing of each drinking water outlet used by the child care center in the building where the child care center is located for the presence of lead. The tests would be conducted by a certified laboratory in accordance with the sampling and testing methods specified in the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) technical guidance for reducing lead in drinking water at child care centers, or more protective technical guidance that may be issued by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The initial tests would be conducted no later than 90 days after the effective date of the bill, and subsequent tests would be conducted every five years thereafter, unless the DEP determines, on a case-by-case basis, that more or less frequent testing is necessary or sufficient to protect the public health. A child care center may obtain an exemption from the requirement to conduct initial testing if it demonstrates to the DEP that it has conducted testing that substantially complies with the technical guidance within two years prior to the effective date of the bill, and any drinking water outlet that was found to have an elevated lead level has either been removed from service or remediated. Under the bill, a child care center may seek the assistance of a local health agency or public water system to help ensure compliance with the bill. Nothing in the bill would prevent a child care center from conducting more frequent testing than required by the bill. The testing requirements would not apply to a child care center that is considered a public water system under federal law and meets the applicable standards for lead in drinking water supplied by public water systems. If testing conducted pursuant to the bill reveals an elevated lead level at a drinking water outlet, the child care center would be required to immediately shut or close off access to that outlet and report the test results to the DEP. The child care center and the owner of the building in which the child care center is located, in consultation with the DEP, would be required to conduct follow-up testing to determine the source of the lead, and take appropriate remedial measures to ensure that children are not exposed to water with an elevated lead level and have access to free, fresh, and clean drinking water. Remedial measures may include permanently shutting or closing off access to the drinking water outlet, providing an alternative source of water, manual or automatic flushing, installing and maintaining a filter, and replacing outlets, plumbing, or service lines contributing to the elevated lead level. Under the bill, each child care center would be required to maintain the complete results of the testing conducted under the bill, and information on any measures being taken to remediate a drinking water outlet found to have an elevated lead level. The DEP would have the authority to inspect this information during regular business hours and without prior notice. Child care centers would also be required to post a summary of this information in a conspicuous location near the entrance of the child care center, and notify parents (including guardians) and employees of the child care center of the availability of the information. If test results reveal an elevated lead level at a drinking water outlet, the child care center would be required to immediately notify parents and child care center employees directly. The bill would require the DEP, within 30 days after the effective date of the bill, to provide to each child care center with the EPA's technical guidance for reducing lead in drinking water at child care centers, a summary of the sampling and testing methods contained in the technical guidance, a list of each laboratory in the State certified to conduct lead testing, and any other information the DEP deems relevant. | In Committee |
A2942 | Alters date by which school districts notify parents of nonpublic school students of eligibility for bus transportation or aid in-lieu-of transportation payment from August 1 to July 15. | Alters date by which school districts notify parents of nonpublic school students of eligibility for bus transportation or aid in-lieu-of transportation payment from August 1 to July 15. | In Committee |
A4561 | Includes Sikhs as protected class in bias intimidation law; appropriates $100,000. | This bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:16-1, the crime of bias intimidation,to specifically include Sikhism in the protected classes set forth in the statute. Sikhism is the monotheistic religion founded in India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak. New Jersey is home to approximately 100,000 Sikhs, which is one of the largest Sikh populations in the United States. On October 16, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") released its annual report of hate crime statistics, which recorded 198 anti-Sikh hate crime incidents. According to the FBI report, Sikhs remain the second-most targeted group in the nation for religiously-motivated hate crime incidents. Current law enumerates the protected classes of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, and ethnicity in the bias intimidation statute. Under the provisions of the bill, a person is guilty of the crime of bias intimidation if he commits, attempts, conspires, or threatens the immediate commission of certain specified offenses with a purpose to intimidate an individual or group because of their membership within a protected class, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, or Sikhism, or knowing that the conduct would cause an individual or group to be intimidated on that basis or under circumstances in which the victim believes he was targeted on that basis. Pursuant to this bill, all local, county, and State law enforcement entities in New Jersey are to report all violations under the statute to the State and federal law enforcement agencies responsible for preparing bias crime reports. Further, this bill sets forth that the Office of Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Education, is to: (1) develop training, for the dissemination to county and local law enforcement agencies, on Sihkism, which shall include, but not limited to, visible Sikh identity features, including turbans, bracelets, moustaches, beard, and physical attire, and the classification of bias intimidation cases as anti-sikh, to prevent the misclassification of hate and bias incidents. (2) coordinate with other State agencies and departments in the creation of a public awareness campaign and educational initiatives on Sikhism; and (3) annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the public awareness campaign,educational initiatives on Sikhism executed through the public awareness campaign across different public platforms, and on the steps taken to include Sikhism education across curriculum standards in different grades across township boards of education within this State. Pursuant to this bill, the New Jersey Office of Attorney General, in consultation with the New Jersey field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, shall develop a transnational repression recognition and response training program that is to include how to identify different tactics of transnational repression and best practices for appropriate county, local and state law enforcement prevention, reporting, and response tactics. Current law establishes within the Division of Purchase and Property in the State Department of the Treasury, the position of Chief Diversity Officer. This bill expands the Chief Diversity Officer's responsibilities to include: ensuring that each public entity of this State incorporate the definition for anti-Sikh hate into the bias intimidation policy of the public entity; and ensuring that the definition of anti-Sikh hate is incorporated into the diversity, equity, and inclusivity promotion policies in any program offered by the State or any political subdivision of the State. This bill appropriates $100,000, for three consecutive years following enactment, from the General Fund to the Office of the Attorney General to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives and outreach efforts to the Sikh community. | In Committee |
A4566 | Establishes limits on future parole eligibility date. | This bill establishes limits on future parole eligibility dates. Under current law, the parole board is required to develop a schedule of future parole eligibility dates for adult inmates denied release at their eligibility date. The provisions of the bill will cap, at a maximum of three years, the length of time that the parole board can require an inmate denied release to serve before having another hearing. | In Committee |
A4144 | "New Jersey Student Support Act"; establishes program in Department of Treasury to provide tax credits to taxpayers contributing to organization which awards scholarships to certain nonpublic school students. | This bill directs the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, to establish a program to provide tax credits to taxpayers that make contributions to a selected student support organization that awards scholarships for eligible students to attend participating nonpublic schools. The program established by the director would allow a taxpayer to claim a tax credit against the corporate business tax or personal gross income tax equal to 75 percent of any contribution made to a student support organization; in the case of the gross income tax credit, a taxpayer is required to contribute a minimum of $100 to a student support organization in order to claim a tax credit. The value of a credit for an individual taxpayer in a given year or privilege period is not permitted to exceed the lesser of 50 percent of the taxpayer's total tax liability or $1,000,000 for a tax credit against the corporate business tax or $100,000 for a credit against the personal gross income tax. The maximum amount of tax credits allowable in each State fiscal year may not exceed $37.5 million. The Director of the Division of Taxation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, is responsible for the administration of the program. The Director of the Division of Taxation is to select one student support organization, draft regulations to implement the program, and submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature on the implementation and results of the program. The regulations are to include a requirement that tax credits issued under the provision of the bill will be issued equitably among the counties. The Director of Taxation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, is also required to establish a five-person oversight committee to oversee the operation of the student support organization. The student support organization would receive contributions made to the program, spending no more than five percent of contributions on administrative costs, and distributing the remaining 95 percent as scholarships for eligible families. The student support organization is required to verify student eligibility prior to awarding a scholarship, not limit scholarships to students in a certain school or region, award scholarships equally to all eligible students who apply in a given school year, and provide a student with a scholarship that is not less than the amount the student received in the prior school year. The student support organization is to publicize the program, carry forward no more than 20 percent of funds each year, and submit an annual report to the State Treasurer and the Commissioner of Education. The student support organization is required to contract annually for an independent financial audit of the program and transmit a copy of the financial audit to the Division of Taxation, the State Treasurer, and the Commissioner of Education no later than December 1 of each year. To be eligible for a scholarship from the student support organization, a student is to reside in New Jersey and intend to enroll in grades kindergarten through 12 in the next school year. A student is required to have a household income that does not exceed the federal income guidelines for reduced price lunch under the National School Lunch Program multiplied by 2.6. To participate in the program, a school is to: be located in New Jersey; be a nonpublic school that is eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program; comply with all federal and State anti-discrimination statutes; and comply with the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act," P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18:A37-13 et seq.). The bill also includes language requiring that the provisions of the bill not supersede, impact, or interfere with the full funding in each State fiscal year necessary to satisfy the requirement of the New Jersey Constitution that the Legislature provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all children in the State between 5 and 18 years of age; the full funding of the veterans' $250 property tax deduction, required to be provided to eligible veterans pursuant to the State Constitution; the senior citizens' and disabled persons' $250 property tax deduction authorized by the State Constitution; the full payment of contributions required by law to be made to the State-administered retirement systems; and the full funding of the Stay NJ property tax credit program established in P.L.2023, c.75 (C.54:4-8.75a et seq.). No later than six months after the conclusion of the fourth school year in which scholarships are awarded under the program, the Department of the Treasury, in conjunction with the Department of Education, any relevant governmental organization, and stakeholders from the nonpublic school community, is required to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature that will include: information on the number of scholarships and the amount of tax credits awarded under the program; recommendations on improvements to the program; and the number of nonpublic school closures five years prior to awarding any scholarships under the program compared to closures after the implementation of the program. The Department of Education is required to establish a Student Support Grant Program to provide grants to school districts in which at least 50 percent of the student population is eligible for free or reduced price lunch under the National School Lunch Program. The grant funding is for student support services, including tutoring programs or opportunities, teacher retention bonuses, or the provision of mental health or counseling services. The department will establish an application process for the grants. As part of that process, the eligible school districts are required to demonstrate how the funding will assist the district in providing needed support to its students. The bill provides that the Legislature will annually appropriate from the General Fund to the Department of Education $37.5 million to fund the grant program. | Dead |
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 |
A1427 | Requires NJT to establish guidelines for on-demand micro transit pilot programs operating within State. | This bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT), in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, to establish and issue guidelines for the operation of any on-demand micro transit pilot programs operating within the State. These guidelines would include recommendations to: incentivize the employment of union labor; ensure the affordability of on-demand micro transit services; and specify the classifications of motor vehicles that may be used for each pilot program, which vehicles may not be limited to those for which a driver is required to obtain a commercial drivers license. Additionally, the bill requires the NJT on-demand micro transit program to increase the range of services that the program will offer. Currently, the program will serve areas of Bergen and Monmouth counties, and this bill would require the next wave of program expansion to prioritize additional services in Bergen, Mercer, and Middlesex counties. Under the bill, "on-demand micro transit" is defined as publicly available, technology-enabled, shared transportation provided by means of a motor vehicle to individuals selecting a pick-up and drop-off location by telephone or through a mobile application, and which transportation is provided at a time selected by the individual or as soon as possible after the individual selects pick-up and drop-off locations for such transportation. | In Committee |
A2903 | Concerns licensure of persons rendering barbering services in another state or foreign country. | Concerns licensure of persons rendering barbering services in another state or foreign country. | Crossed Over |
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 |
A3521 | Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD. | Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD. | In Committee |
A3143 | Removing requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations, thereby broadening eligibility for certain veterans' benefits. | This bill broadens the eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating the requirement that a veteran serve during specific wars or other periods of emergency, and, in certain instances, that a veteran serve in a war zone. Instead of service during specific dates or in specific locations, the bill requires a veteran to serve for at least 90 days, exclusive of certain types of initial training, in order to be eligible for any of the veterans' benefits identified in the bill. The bill also requires a veteran of a Reserve Component of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard, to serve the entire period to which called to federal active service, exclusive of training, in order to be eligible for the veterans' benefits. A veteran who is discharged as the result of a service-connected disability will be eligible even if the veteran has not completed the 90 day service period or the period to which called to federal active service. The benefits that an eligible veteran could apply for are (1) a civil service hiring preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) a veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); and (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF and PERS. In addition, the surviving spouse of a veteran or of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a Reserve Component thereof killed while in active service is eligible in certain instances for a civil service preference. The bill also provides that an active service member of the United States Armed Forces or a member of a Reserve Component thereof, including the National Guard, who has not been discharged from service is eligible for the civil service hiring preference provided that the member otherwise qualifies as a veteran. Eligibility for civil service hiring preference is contingent upon voter approval of an authorizing amendment to the State Constitution. | 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 |
A3018 | Establishes task force to study presence of mercury in floors of certain facilities. | This bill establishes the Task Force on Mercury Exposure in Schools and Child Care Centers. The task force will be established in the Department of Health, and its duties will include: examining the health risks associated with flooring that contains mercury; developing best practices with regard to testing the floors of schools and licensed child care centers to determine whether mercury is present; establishing standards for remediation of flooring containing mercury; and developing strategies and protocols to assist schools and child care centers to implement the best practices developed by task force. The task force will comprise 15 members, including the Commissioners of Health, Environmental Protection, Education, Community Affairs, and Children and Families, or their designees, who will serve ex officio; and 10 public members, with two each appointed by the Governor, the Senate President, the Speaker of the General Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the General Assembly. The public members are to have knowledge and experience with regard to identifying and addressing environmental health risks in schools and child care centers, as well as with regard to the particular risks to the public health associated with building materials containing mercury. Appointments to the task force are to be made no later than 30 days after the effective date of the bill, and the task force is to organize as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days following the appointment of its members. The task force will choose a chairperson from among its members and may appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the task force. Members of the task force will serve without compensation, but will be reimbursed for necessary expenditures incurred in the performance of their duties within the limits of available funding. The Department of Health will provide stenographic, clerical, and other administrative assistants, and such professional staff as the task force requires to carry out its work. The task force will be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available for its purposes. No later than one year after its organization, the task force will be required to submit a report to the Governor and to the Legislature containing its findings and recommendations, including the standards, best practices, and strategies and protocols developed by the task force, and any recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or local government action to address issues related to the presence of mercury in schools and child care centers in New Jersey. The task force will dissolve upon submission of its report. Reports suggest that some types of polyurethane flooring commonly used in school buildings, including in multipurpose rooms, gyms, cafeterias, auditoriums, stages, and indoor and outdoor tracks, contains a chemical that releases odorless, colorless mercury vapor, which can damage the nervous system, kidneys, lungs, eyes, and skin, and may be particularly harmful to the development of young children. It is the sponsor's intent that New Jersey develop appropriate strategies to detect and remediate mercury hazards in schools and child care centers. | In Committee |
A3568 | Allows persons who qualify under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to become law enforcement and corrections officers. | This bill allows persons who have been granted relief under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to become law enforcement officers, State and county correctional police officers, and juvenile corrections officers. Under current law, a person is required to be a United States citizen as a prerequisite to being appointed as a law enforcement or corrections officer. The DACA program was established by the federal government to protect from deportation certain noncitizens who were brought to the United States as children and allow them to receive work permits. Under this bill, persons who qualify under the DACA program would be eligible to become law enforcement or corrections officers. The bill also clarifies that a person who qualifies under the DACA program and is appointed as a law enforcement or corrections officer would be entitled carry a firearm in the course of the officer's employment and when required by the officer's supervising authority. | In Committee |
A3560 | Concerns false public alarms involving places of worship. | This bill establishes a second degree crime for false public alarms when the alarm involves a church, synagogue, temple, or other place of public worship. The bill defines "place of worship" as a building capable of seating more than 50 people used primarily as a place of public or private worship on a permanent basis by a recognized and established religious sect or denomination. Finally, the bill provides for additional penalties for false alarms as it relates to churches, synagogues, temples, or other places of worship. A person committing such a violation is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 or the actual costs incurred by or resulting from the emergency response to the false alarm, whichever is higher. A second degree crime is punishable by a term of 5-10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. | In Committee |
A2932 | Supplemental appropriation of $2,000,000 to New Jersey Division of State Police for purchase of mobile surveillance towers. | This supplemental appropriation provides $2 million for the purchase of mobile surveillance towers by the Division of State Police (DSP) in the Department of Law and Public Safety. These mobile surveillance towers will be utilized in New Jersey communities when the DSP is deployed to assist with crowd control. Mobile surveillance towers will provide the DSP with an unobstructed 360° degree view to provide maximum coverage during large scale events and unpermitted mass gatherings. On May 21, 2022 the municipality of Long Branch, New Jersey experienced an unpermitted mass gathering after a social media posting drew large crowds that authorities said threatened public safety. First responders reportedly included the Long Branch Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT), Monmouth and Middlesex Rapid Deployment Forces (RDF), Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, New Jersey State Police, Department of Corrections, and NJ Transit Police. Last summer, there were several similar situations of large-scale pop-up parties in the same area of the State. These unpermitted mass gatherings affect not only public safety when not patrolled effectively, but also affect the economic wellbeing of shore businesses who rely on visitors to the New Jersey shore during the summer season. | In Committee |
A2920 | Changes minimum age for issuance of trapping license from 12 years to 18 years of age. | This bill prohibits issuing a trapping license to a person under 18 years of age and amends current law to be consistent with that prohibition. Current law prohibits the issuance of a trapping license to a person under 12 years of age. | In Committee |
A2893 | Requires child's religion not be changed due to foster care or adoption. | This bill requires that a private adoption agency, a court, or the Division of Child Protection and Permanency maintain the continuity of a child's religious upbringing when placing a child in the custody of a guardian, into foster care, or into an adoptive home, so far as maintaining the continuity of the child's religious upbringing is possible. The bill permits agencies and courts to place a child in a setting of a different religion only in the case of a written statement from the child's birth parent or legal guardian, or in the case that such a placement is not feasible or not in the child's best interest, in which case a written statement is required that explains the placement decision. In such cases, the bill requires that provisions be made for the child to continue the his religious observance, education, and training in the new setting. A child's religious and cultural backgrounds are significant aspects of determining the best interests of the child. The placement of a child into foster care or into the adoption process should be consistent with the child's religious and cultural backgrounds unless it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that such placement is not in keeping with the analysis of the best interests of the child. The religion of a child should not be changed irrespective of the placement into foster care or into the adoption process. Reasonable, but tangible, effort should be made by an agency or court placing a child in an adoptive home, a resource family home, or the custody of any person or institution to ensure the continuity of the child's religious upbringing. | In Committee |
AR86 | Supports Israel as it defends itself against the terrorist attacks by Hamas. | This House strongly condemns Hamas for its terroristic attacks against Israel and the atrocities perpetrated against innocent people. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched a massive, unprovoked war on Israel by air, land, and sea. Hamas terrorists crossed the land border and began killing Israelis, abducting people as hostages, slaughtering ordinary civilians and entire families, including babies and elderly people, setting houses on fire, and raping women. Since October 7, 2023, Hamas has launched over 4,500 rockets into southern and central Israel, at least 1,400 people have been confirmed dead in Israel, of whom 30 were American citizens, and another 3,400 have been injured. Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Organization, designated as such by the United States and the European Union, for its history of suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Jewish people and the State of Israel. Israel is a non-NATO ally and strategic partner of the United States, and the United States has declared its commitment to Israel, reaffirming our 75-year partnership with Israel and the Jewish people in the advancement of our shared democratic values and cultural ties. The Israeli people and its government have shown unwavering bravery in response to the unprovoked act of terrorism by Hamas. The State of New Jersey is proud of its strong relationship with Israel and its citizens, and reaffirms its commitment to Israel in the face of these terrorist attacks. New Jersey condemns the terrorist acts of Hamas against Israel and supports Israel as it defends itself. | In Committee |
A1167 | Requires local recreation departments and youth serving organizations to have defibrillators for youth athletic events. | The bill requires that beginning on September 1, 2020, municipal or county recreation departments and nonprofit youth serving organizations, which organize, sponsor, or are otherwise affiliated with youth athletic events that are played on municipal, county, school, or other publicly-owned fields, must ensure that there is available on site an automated external defibrillator (AED) at each youth athletic event and practice held on the department's or organization's home field. A recreation department or youth serving organization will be deemed to be in compliance with the AED requirement if a State-certified emergency services provider or other certified first responder is on site at the athletic event or practice and has an AED available for use on site. A recreation department or youth serving organization and its employees, umpires, coaches, and licensed athletic trainers will be immune from civil liability in the acquisition and use of an AED. | In Committee |
A2412 | Allows gross income tax deduction for amounts paid for removal of lead, asbestos, sodium, chloride, and other contaminants from taxpayer's property. | This bill would allow taxpayers, regardless of income, to deduct up to a combined $45,000 from gross income in a year for the following expenses: (1) lead-based paint hazard abatement in the taxpayer's residential property if performed by a certified lead abatement contractor; (2) asbestos hazard abatement in the taxpayer's residential property if performed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor; (3) replacement of a water service line containing hazardous amounts of lead if the line is owned by the taxpayer, the line is on the real property of the taxpayer's residential property, and the line's replacement is necessary for abatement of the hazard in the taxpayer's residential property; (4) replacement of plumbing containing hazardous amounts of lead in the taxpayer's residential property; (5) remediation of lead and other contaminants in the soil of a taxpayer's residential property; (6) replacement of leaded windows on the taxpayer's residential property; (7) the cost of installing a water treatment by a licensed contractor or plumber if the private well water servicing the taxpayer's property is contaminated with excess sodium or chloride levels; (8) the cost of replacing any pipes connected to the water treatment system if the private well water servicing the taxpayer's property is contaminated with excess sodium or chloride levels; and (9) the cost of certain upgrades to a property's septic system of leach field if the private well water servicing the taxpayer's property is contaminated with excess sodium or chloride levels. As used in the bill, "residential property" means a taxpayer's primary residence, owner-occupied home, or rental unit. The Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury would be required to set the standards by which taxpayers are to demonstrate that they qualify for the deduction. To be eligible for the deduction for costs related to lead-based paint hazard abatement or asbestos hazard abatement, the taxpayer would be required to submit an affidavit from the municipality in which the residential property is located to the director acknowledging that the work was done and the amount paid by the taxpayer to the licensed contractor. During the first taxable year following the bill's enactment, a taxpayer would be allowed to deduct any covered expenses incurred between January 1, 2018 and that year. The provisions of the bill would expire on December 31, 2025. | In Committee |
A2926 | Expands crime of bias intimidation; establishes additional penalties for crimes of bias intimidation and harassment; establishes bias intimidation motivation damages. | This bill expands the State's bias intimidation law and removes an unconstitutional provision; establishes additional penalties for the crimes of bias intimidation and false public alarm; and provides for the award of bias intimidation motivation damages.Bias Intimidation Under current law, N.J.S.2C:16-1, a person is guilty of the crime of bias intimidation if the person commits, attempts to commit, conspires with another to commit, or threatens the immediate commission of certain enumerated criminal offenses with any of the following states of mind: (1) with a purpose to intimidate an individual or group of individuals because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity; (2) knowing that the conduct constituting the offense would cause an individual or group of individuals to be intimidated because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity; or (3) under circumstances that caused any victim of the underlying offense to be intimidated and the victim, considering the manner in which the offense was committed, reasonably believed either that (a) the offense was committed with a purpose to intimidate the victim or any person or entity in whose welfare the victim is interested because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity, or (b) the victim or the victim's property was selected to be the target of the offense because of the victim's race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity. These enumerated predicate offenses include criminal homicide, assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, stalking, disarming a law enforcement officer, kidnapping and related offenses, sexual offenses, robbery, carjacking, arson and other property destruction, burglary, trespass, harassment, prohibited weapons and devices, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. This bill adds to these enumerated offenses computer criminal activity, initiating a false alarm, and cyber-harassment. In State v. Pomianek, 221 N.J. 66 (2015), the New Jersey Supreme Court held that paragraph (3) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:16-1 (above) is unconstitutionally vague and violates due process because, rather than focusing on the defendant's state of mind, the law focuses on the victim's perception of the defendant's state of mind. The bill removes this unconstitutional provision from N.J.S.2C:16-1. Under the bill, it is not a defense to a prosecution for bias intimidation that a defendant acted with a purpose, in addition to a purpose to intimidate an individual or group of individuals because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity. The bill also provides that a defendant may be convicted of bias intimidation against a person who is associated with an individual or group because of the individual's or group's race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity, regardless of whether the victim is the same race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity as the individual or group. The bill imposes additional penalties for a conviction of bias intimidation, for each offense, in the amount of: $2,000 for a crime of the first degree; $1,000 for a crime of the second degree; $750 for a crime of the third degree; $500 for a crime of the fourth degree; and $250 for a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense. These penalties are to be deposited into the Bias Crime Prevention Fund, established under the bill. The monies deposited are to be used for investigating and prosecuting bias intimidation crimes; supporting community response to bias crime incidents; funding training and educational programs on bias crimes and diversity, as well as other programs designed to enhance public awareness of bias crimes and diversity.False Public Alarm Under current law, a person convicted of initiating a false public alarm is liable to a civil penalty of not less than $2,000 or the actual costs resulting from law enforcement and emergency services in response to the false alarm, whichever is higher. The bill provides for the award of a civil penalty of not less than $2,000 or treble the actual costs incurred, whichever is higher. The bill further provides that a person convicted of initiating a false alarm also is liable to a person suffering personal injury, and to the owner of property damaged as a result of law enforcement and emergency services response to the false alarm. Bias Intimidation Motivation Compensatory Damages Enhancement The bill also provides for an award of bias intimidation motivation compensatory damages enhancement. The bill defines "bias intimidation motivation" to mean with a purpose to intimidate an individual or group of individuals because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, or ethnicity, or knowing that the conduct constituting the offense would cause an individual or group of individuals to be intimidated because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity. The bill provides that, in addition to any other recovery authorized under current law, treble the amount of compensatory damages is to be awarded to a plaintiff if the plaintiff proves, by a preponderance of evidence, that the harm suffered was the result of the defendant's acts or omissions, and the acts or omissions were actuated by bias intimidation motivation. | In Committee |
A1590 | Requires continued coverage of prescription drugs for certain medical conditions. | This bill requires health insurance carriers to provide continued coverage of prescription drugs for covered persons diagnosed with a complex or chronic medical condition or a rare disease during a coverage appeal based on medical necessity. The bill defines "complex or chronic medical condition" as a physical, behavioral, or developmental condition that does not have a known cure or that can be severely debilitating or fatal if left untreated or undertreated. "Rare disease" is defined as any disease or condition that affects less than 200,000 persons in the United States. The 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, prepaid prescription service organizations, and plans provided by the State Health Benefits Commission and the School Employees' Health Benefits Commission to continue to provide coverage for a drug for a covered person with a complex or chronic medical condition or a rare disease, if the drug was previously covered by the policy or contract, while an appeal is at any stage of the appeals process in situations in which a covered person appeals a denial of coverage for the drug based on medical necessity, except under certain circumstances. With respect to a drug for a covered person with a complex or chronic medical condition or a rare disease in situations in which a covered person appeals a denial of coverage for the drug based on medical necessity, while the appeal is in any stage of the appeals process, the bill provides the provisions of the policy or contract shall not apply so as to: (1) set forth limitations on maximum coverage of prescription drug benefits; (2) subject the covered person to increased out-of-pocket costs; or (3) move a drug for a covered person to a more restrictive tier, if the policy or contract uses a formulary with tiers. The bill further provides that a policy or contract may only deny coverage during the appeals process for a drug for a covered person with a complex or chronic medical condition or a rare disease if: (1) the prescribing provider has discontinued prescription of the drug for the covered person; (2) the United States Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice, guidance, warning, announcement, or any other statement about the drug which calls into question the clinical safety of the drug; or (3) the manufacturer of the drug has notified the United States Food and Drug Administration of any manufacturing discontinuance or potential discontinuance as required by 21 U.S.C.s.356c. | In Committee |
A2416 | Concerns credit card interchange fees and consumer protection. | This bill regulates credit card interchange fees. An interchange fee, commonly referred to as a "swipe fee," is a fee paid by a merchant's acquiring bank to a customer-cardholder's issuing bank as part of an electronic payment card transaction. The merchant's bank then passes this fee onto the merchant. There is little competition regarding credit card interchange fee pricing as Visa and MasterCard, the two largest companies in the industry, set the pricing with their member banks and smaller merchants have no negotiating power to change pricing. As consumers increasingly use debit and credit cards to purchase goods and services, merchants must agree to accept these cards as a form of payment in order to stay in business, but often pass along the costs of the interchange fees onto consumers which inflates the prices of goods and services. Current federal law regulates debit card interchange fees but does not address the fees associated with credit card transactions. This bill regulates credit card interchange fees by prohibiting an electronic payment system from:· imposing any requirement, condition, penalty, or fine in a contract with a merchant relating to the display of pricing for goods or services for sale by the merchant;· inhibiting the ability of any merchant to offer its customers discounts or in-kind incentives for using cash or a debit card or credit card of another electronic payment system;· inhibiting the ability of any merchant to decide not to accept the products of an electronic payment system at one of its locations while still accepting the products of that electronic payment system at other locations;· preventing any merchant from setting a minimum dollar value, provided the minimum is not set below $10, or a maximum dollar value for its acceptance of a credit card;· limiting the number of electronic payment systems through which a credit card transaction may be processed to only one or only affiliated electronic payment systems; or· inhibiting any merchant from choosing the electronic payment system through which a credit card transaction is processed. Under the bill, an electronic payment system is defined as, "an entity which is not a national bank that directly, or through licensed members, processors or agents, provides the proprietary services, infrastructure, and software that route information and data to facilitate transaction authorization, clearance, and settlement, and that merchants access in order to accept a brand of general-purpose credit cards, charge cards, debit cards or stored-value cards as payments for goods or services." 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. The bill further specifies that an electronic payment system found to be in violation must reimburse all affected merchants for all chargebacks, fees, and fines collected from the affected merchants during the period of time in which the electronic payment system was in violation. | In Committee |
A2921 | Eliminates 15% fee charged by cemetery company on transfer of graves, crypts and niches. | This bill eliminates the 15% fee which cemetery companies currently charge for the transfer of a grave, crypt or niche. Under the "New Jersey Cemetery Act, 2003," these fees are among those which a cemetery is required to charge and deposit in its Maintenance and Preservation Funds, to be used for the purposes designated by the act. Inasmuch as a fee is already charged on the original sale of graves, crypt and niches, the additional fee upon transfer of a grave, crypt or niche would appear to be unnecessarily burdensome, especially when the transfer may occur at the time of need, and create an additional financial hardship on the bereaved. | In Committee |
A1582 | Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by licensed health care professionals before return to school; requires school districts to provide restrictions or limitations to student as needed. | This bill provides that a student enrolled in a school district who sustains a concussion must receive an evaluation by a licensed health care professional and written clearance from the licensed health care professional to return to school. In the event that the licensed health care professional provides notice that the student requires restrictions or limitations, the school district 504 team, as defined in N.J.A.C.6A:8-1.3, (a group of persons that makes program and placement decisions according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, and 34 CFR § 104.35(c)), must immediately implement the restrictions or limitations and notify all teachers and staff who have contact with the student of the restrictions or limitations. The school district's 504 team would promptly identify the manner in which the restrictions or limitations would be provided to the student during recovery and the need for the continuation or adjustment of the restrictions or limitations, and to determine the duration of the restrictions or limitations. The bill also provides that a student enrolled in a school district who sustains a concussion is prohibited from engaging in any physical activity at school including, but not limited to, recess or physical education. The student may not participate in any physical activity until evaluated by a licensed health care professional and receives written clearance to participate. As defined in the bill, "licensed health care professional" means a health care provider whose scope of practice includes the ability to diagnose and treat a concussion. | In Committee |
A2906 | Requires certain furniture retailers to provide notice of furniture tip over risks; requires tip restraint devices be available for purchase. | This bill requires retailers who sell certain new furniture to offer for sale compatible tip restraint devices and post a notice about the risk of furniture tipping. The bill applies to furniture storage units over 36 inches in height, including, but not limited to, shelving units, entertainment stands or towers, chests, dressers, armoires, and bureaus. Specifically, the bill requires a retailer selling or offering for sale new furniture to a consumer to: (1) maintain in stock and prominently display within the retail establishment tip restraint devices available for sale that are compatible with the furniture; and (2) post a notice that is conspicuous and easily understandable, stating:"Certain furniture may become unstable and tip over, leading to possible injury or death. Tip restraint devices may prevent tipping of furniture when properly installed." The bill requires that tip restraint devices sold, offered for sale, or offered gratuitously as part of a furniture purchase are to include installation instructions. The bill does not require retailers to maintain in stock and display tip restraint devices for furniture that includes a tip restraint device as part of the purchase. Additionally, the bill is not applicable to online furniture retailers. A person in violation of the bill's provisions would be subject to a $500 civil penalty. | In Committee |
A2016 | Establishes crimes against elected public officials and immediate families; provides police protection in instances of crime against elected public official and immediate family. | The bill provides additional protections for elected public officials and members of their immediate family. Under current law, it is a disorderly persons offense to commit assault. However, when the assault is committed against enumerated persons, it is the crime of aggravated assault, a crime of the third degree. The bill adds elected public officials and the immediate family members of elected public officials to the enumerated list of persons who, when assaulted, constitutes the crime of aggravated assault. Further, the bill makes it a third degree crime to commit the crimes of stalking and harassment against an elected official or their immediate family. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The bill defines "immediate family member" as a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union couple, parent, sibling, child, and stepchild, as related by blood or law. Upon the commission of the enumerated crimes of the bill, assault, harassment, or stalking against an elected public official or an immediate family member, the Superintendent of the State Police and the local police in the municipality in which the elected official or immediate family member reside are required to provide police protection to the elected official and the immediate family member of the elected official. The Superintendent of the State Police on a case-by-case basis determines the length of time that police provide protection to the elected public official and the immediate family member of the elected public official. The bill is being prepared in response to the recent assault committed against the husband of the Speaker of the House of Representative, Nancy Pelosi. The bill provides additional measures and protections to ensure the safety of elected public officials and their families. | In Committee |
A2113 | Requires initial Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare eligibility determinations to be made not later than 21 days following application submission; provides that NJ FamilyCare coverage is terminated whenever required premium is not paid for three consecutive months. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to establish an eligibility determination timeliness standard for determining initial eligibility of families and children under the Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. This bill also extends the period of time in which a beneficiary may fail to pay a premium required for NJ FamilyCare coverage before coverage is terminated. Specifically, this bill requires the eligibility determination timeliness standard to provide for a new applicant's determination of eligibility as soon as all factors of eligibility are met and verified, but not later than 21 days from the date of the initial application submission. When the determination of eligibility is made later than 21 days from the date of the initial application submission, the eligibility determination agency responsible for the intake and processing of the application must provide the applicant written notification, immediately upon the expiration of the 21-day processing period, setting forth the specific reasons for the delay. The commissioner is further required to report to the Governor and the Legislature on the application processing performance of eligibility determination agencies pursuant to this bill and make any recommendations the commissioner deems appropriate no later than one year following the bill's enactment, and annually thereafter. This bill also provides that a failure to pay a premium required for NJ FamilyCare coverage for three consecutive months will result in the termination of coverage. By current regulation, N.J.A.C. 10:49-9.2 and 10:79-6.7, coverage is terminated the month after a monthly plan premium payment is missed. The current law, as modified by federal regulation, provides that an individual may be "locked out" or ineligible to apply for coverage if that person was "voluntarily disenrolled" from coverage within three months of their application to the program. This bill, by providing that coverage be terminated after three consecutive missed premium payments, instead of after one missed premium payment, will reduce the number of individuals who lose coverage, and accordingly, prevent individuals from being "locked-out" of or ineligible to apply for reinstatement of coverage due to a single missed premium payment. | In Committee |
A2924 | Codifies protections in Law Against Discrimination for persons suffering discrimination on grounds of disparate impact. | This bill would amend the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.) (the "LAD") to codify case law providing that the LAD protects those plaintiffs suffering discrimination on grounds of "disparate impact." Pursuant to the case law, the LAD protects two kinds of plaintiffs who are members of a protected class (such as race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, marital status, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability or nationality, among others): those plaintiffs who suffer disparate treatment because of their membership in the protected class, and those who suffer from the disparate impact of a facially neutral policy that in fact falls more harshly on them because of their membership in the protected class. See Gerety v. Atl. City Hilton Casino Resort, 184 N.J. 391 (2004). | In Committee |
A1918 | Requires State government entities provide vital documents and translation services in 15 most common non-English languages. | This bill requires State government entities to provide vital documents and translation services in the 15 most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in this State, based on United States Census Bureau data, and relevant to the services offered by the State government entity. Under the bill, any State department or agency in the Executive Branch and any commission, board, bureau, division, office, or instrumentality thereof providing direct services to the public would be required to provide these language access services and interpretation services between the State government entity and an individual in that person's primary language with respect to the provision of services or benefits. Each State government entity would be required to produce an informational poster describing the available interpretation and translation services in multiple languages for display in a visible location. The bill requires each State government entity to publish a language access plan within 90 days of its effective date, and to update the plan every two years thereafter. At a minimum, each plan would describe (1) when and how the State government entity will provide or is already providing language assistance services; (2) the limited-English proficient population in each geographic service area, including those who speak any language even if that language is not among the 15 most common non-English languages, and how the need for translations is determined; (3) how the entity will notify the eligible population; (4) how the entity documents the actual service provision; (5) the number of public contact positions, qualified bilingual or multi-lingual employees in those positions, and the languages they speak; (6) a training plan for government entity employees who will be involved in the implementation of the bill which includes, at minimum, annual training on the language access policies of the government entity, how to provide language assistance services, and follow any applicable State and federal confidentially protocols; (7) a plan for how the agency will ensure the provision of language assistance services of the highest quality and in a culturally competent manner; (8) the name and contact information of the entity's language access coordinator; (9) the titles of all available translated documents and the languages into which they have been translated; (10) a website and document content describing the required translation services, processes, and documents; and (11) a plan for annually monitoring internal compliance. The bill requires the employment or assignment of a language access coordinator by each State entity to monitor the government entity's compliance and develop annual reports. The bill directs the Secretary of State, or a State agency, or both to oversee, coordinate, provide guidance to State government entities in their implementation. Various provisions of current law may already require certain State government entities to provide certain documents and translation services to the public, most commonly in the Spanish language. However, under this bill, its provisions would not be interpreted to remove any requirements by any State entity to provide for direct in-person translation services to a member of the public, or for the translation of any materials in the Spanish language or any additional languages, as may be required by law. The bill would also not be interpreted to prevent a State government entity from providing interpretation and translation services to any limited-English proficient individuals who speak any language, even if that language is not among the 15 most common non-English languages. Under the bill, a State government entity may require that an applicant for its benefits or services or any person assisting such applicant in seeking benefits or services provide only the information strictly necessary to determine eligibility for or to administer such benefits or services. Under the bill, there is appropriated from the funds received by the State from the federal government under the "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," Pub. L. 117-2, to each State government entity the sums necessary to implement its provisions, and such additional sums from the General Fund as the State Treasurer and the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury deem necessary. The bill takes effect immediately, but the required translations would be implemented on a rolling basis and would be completed no later than 365 days after its effective date for the 10 most common languages, and not later than 730 days after its effective date for the additional 5 most common languages, except that applications, notices of rights, or privacy protections would be translated immediately. If an application or form has not been translated, the State government entity or contractor would provide oral translation of the application or form and a certification by the limited-English proficient individual indicating that the application or form was translated and completed by an interpreter. | Dead |
A2904 | Adds to property tax levy cap exclusions increases in flood insurance premiums. | This bill provides a limited exclusion from the calculation of a local unit of government's property tax levy cap for certain increases in flood insurance premiums resulting from changes to federal flood insurance maps. The amount of the cap exclusion allowed by the bill is dependent on the local unit's existing flood insurance coverage and the number of years that have elapsed since changes to federal flood insurance maps were made. The bill provides that in the first year following a change to the federal flood insurance maps, a local unit of government that has flood insurance is permitted to exclude from that unit's property tax levy cap the amount of any increase in flood insurance premiums that are more than two percent more than the prior year's flood insurance premiums. The bill provides that a local unit of government that does not have flood insurance is permitted to exclude from that unit's property tax levy cap the entire initial cost for flood insurance premiums that are incurred in the first year following a change to the federal maps. The bill provides that in the second, third, and fourth years following a change to the federal flood insurance maps, a local unit of government that either did or did not have flood insurance in the year prior to the change in the flood maps, is permitted to exclude from that unit's property tax levy cap flood insurance premiums that are more than two percent more than the prior year's flood insurance premiums. The exclusion provided by the bill will not apply in the fifth and subsequent years following a change to the federal flood insurance maps. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment. | In Committee |
A2908 | Limits amount of appeal bond in civil actions to $50 million. | The bill limits the amount of the appeal bond in civil actions to the total value of the monetary judgment or $50 million, whichever is less. Under current law and the Rules of Court, a defendant who appeals a judgment ordering the payment of a monetary amount to the plaintiff may appeal that judgment and receive a temporary stay of the obligation to pay the monies, conditioned on posting an appeal bond. The appeal bond, also known as a supersedeas bond, is conditioned for the satisfaction of the judgment in full, together with interest and trial costs. This bill limits the total amount of the appeal bond or other forms of security required of all appellants collectively in a civil action to $50,000,000, in addition to trial costs. The bill also provides that it shall not be construed to eliminate the discretion of the court, after notice and hearing and for good cause shown, to reduce the appeal bond to a lower amount. The bill provides that if an appellee proves by a preponderance of the evidence that an appellant is concealing its assets, or is dissipating or diverting assets outside the ordinary course of business to avoid payment of a judgment, a court may enter orders that: (1) are necessary to protect the appellee; and (2) require the appellant to post a supersedeas bond in an amount up to the total amount of the judgment. The bill provides that the phrase "dissipating or diverting assets" does not include expenditures, including incentive or other payments to the owners of a business, of a kind that the appellant made in the regular course of business prior to entry of the judgment being appealed. The bill defines a "civil action" as all cases involving individual, aggregated, class action, or otherwise joined claims, and defines "legal, equitable, or other relief" as all forms of relief, including compensatory, special, punitive, exemplary or other damages; injunctive relief; or any other form of relief. The bill is effective immediately and applies to all judgments entered on or after its effective date, regardless of the date the action was filed. | In Committee |
A2933 | Supplemental appropriation of $2,000,000 to New Jersey Division of State Police establishing temporary unit to monitor certain social media posts and provide support to local police. | This supplemental appropriation provides $2 million to establish a temporary Shore Municipality Monitoring Unit within the Division of State Police (DSP) to monitor and support New Jersey shore communities during the summer of 2022 from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. This DSP Shore Municipality Monitoring Unit would be responsible for monitoring social media for notices of unpermitted mass gatherings on public beaches that are anticipated to attract a crowd of 500 or more people. Additionally, funds are to be utilized by the DSP Shore Municipality Monitoring Unit to assist local law enforcement agencies in ensuring those unpermitted gatherings remain orderly. On May 21, 2022 the municipality of Long Branch, New Jersey experienced one of these unpermitted mass gatherings after a social media posting drew large crowds that authorities said threatened public safety. First responders reportedly included the Long Branch Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT), Monmouth and Middlesex Rapid Deployment Forces (RDF), Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, New Jersey State Police, Department of Corrections, and NJ Transit Police. Last summer, there were several similar situations of large-scale pop-up parties in the same area of the State. These unpermitted mass gatherings affect not only public safety when not patrolled effectively, but also affect the economic wellbeing of businesses who rely on visitors to the New Jersey shore during the summer season. | In Committee |
A2939 | Establishes "Task Force for Community Based Juvenile Rehabilitation." | This bill establishes the "Task Force for Community Based Juvenile Rehabilitation." Under the bill, the charge of the task force is to provide recommendations for minimum and maximum ages for prosecution in juvenile court, consistent with developmental science and practices in other states. The task force is also required to examine and provide recommendations to address any ongoing racial disparities in the prosecution and sentencing of juveniles. The task force is to consist of the following 17 members: 1) the Attorney General, ex-officio, or a designee; 2) a representative of the Juvenile Justice Commission, appointed by the Governor; 3) a representative of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, appointed by the Governor; 4) a representative of the Division of Criminal Justice, appointed by the Governor; 5) the Public Defender, ex-officio, or a designee; 6) the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, ex-officio, or a designee; 7) the Commissioner of Education, ex-officio, or a designee; 8) a retired Family Court Judge, to be chosen by the Administrative Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts; 9) the Chair of the Governor's Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention Committee; 10) one member appointed by the President of the Senate; 11) one member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; 12) a representative from the County Youth Services Commission Administrators, appointed by the Governor; 13) two representatives who have been involved with the New Jersey juvenile justice system, appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly; 14) a representative from the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 105, the Correctional Police Officer's Union, appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 105; 15) a representative from the Criminal and Youth Justice Clinic at Rutgers, The State University, School of Law, Newark, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; 16) a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, appointed by the President of the Senate. Under the bill, the task force is to hold three public hearings, one hearing in each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. Finally, the bill requires the task force to issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within one year of the bill's effective date. According to the Sentencing Project, in every state, black youth are more likely to be incarcerated than their white peers. New Jersey has the highest black-white disparity in youth incarceration with black youth being more than 20 times more likely than their white peers to be incarcerated. In addition, according to the Youth Justice Task Force Report, despite dramatic overall reductions in the number of youth detained, efforts to eliminate disproportionate minority representation in detention have not been as successful, and troubling inequities continue to characterize this State. Further, as noted in the Youth Justice Task Force Report, as known from brain science, adolescence continues into the mid-20s. Therefore, this is a time of significant growth and maturation and presents a critical opportunity for redirection. | In Committee |
A2922 | Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from imposing surcharges on consumer credit card purchases. | This bill prohibits retailers from imposing a surcharge on consumers for the use of a credit card. The bill clarifies that, notwithstanding this prohibition, a retail motor fuel dealer is permitted to sell similar fuels at different prices to cash and credit customers provided that neither price is below the net cost of the fuel to the retailer dealer plus all selling expenses, as provided in section 201 of P.L.1938, c.163 (C.56:6-2), including, in the case of credit card sales, the cost to the dealer of providing credit sales. Under the bill, a violation is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act. An unlawful practice is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. | In Committee |
A2413 | Waives certain commercial driver license fees for veterans and spouses of veterans. | This bill waives certain commercial driver license fees for a veteran and his or her spouse. Specifically, under the provisions of this bill, a veteran or his or her spouse would not be charged a fee for transferring a commercial driver license from the state in which the veteran or his or her spouse previously resided. The bill defines "veteran" as a person who received an honorable discharge from a branch of the active or reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state. | In Committee |
A2896 | Prohibits the sale of adulterated candy in New Jersey. | This bill prohibits selling or offering to sell adulterated candy in this State. The bill defines "adulterated candy" to mean any candy, either with or without a wrapper, containing, composed of, or made with lead, mercury, or cadmium intentionally introduced as a chemical element during manufacturing or distribution, as opposed to naturally occurring levels of any of those elements, and any candy with a wrapper that contains, is composed of, or is made with, lead, mercury, or cadmium. "Candy" is defined to mean a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts or other ingredients or flavorings, in the form of bars, drops, or pieces, and includes the wrapper used to hold or cover the bars, drops, or pieces. Preparations containing flour or requiring refrigeration would not be considered candy under the bill. Candy composed of, or made with, lead, mercury, or cadmium that is naturally occurring and exceeds 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%) would be considered adulterated candy. The sum of the concentration levels of lead, mercury, or cadmium naturally occurring in any candy that is allowed to be sold or offered for sale in this State would not exceed 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%). Under the provisions of the bill, a manufacturer would be required to: submit to the Department of Health (DOH) a written certification, or a new or amended certification if the manufacturer reformulates or creates a new candy, attesting that the candy listed in the certification is not adulterated and is in compliance with the requirements of the bill; and keep copies of certifications of compliance and new or amended certifications on file, and provide the copies to every distributor and retailer who sells or offers to sell candy in the State, and to members of the public, upon request. The provisions of the bill give the DOH the right to enter the premises of a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer at which candy is manufactured, stored, sold, or offered for sale in order to determine compliance with the provisions of the bill. The DOH would be allowed to, at any time during normal business hours and upon presentation of appropriate credentials: conduct inspections, including taking samples of candy for testing purposes; and purchase any sample of candy at a retail establishment, if requested to do so by the retailer. Whenever the Commissioner of Health finds that adulterated candy is being stored, sold, or offered for sale in violation of the provisions of the bill, the commissioner may issue an order requiring the distributor or retailer to: cause the adulterated candy to be removed from the premises and made unavailable for purchase; and return the entire inventory of adulterated candy to the manufacturer from which it was obtained, at the manufacturer's expense. All samples of candy taken for the purpose of testing to determine compliance would constitute a single violation of the provisions of the bill. Under the bill's provisions, a manufacturer who knowingly sells or offers to sell adulterated candy in violation of the bill would be liable to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for a first offense, and a penalty not to exceed $25,000 for each subsequent offense. Penalties against a manufacturer could not exceed $100,000 during a 30-day period. A distributor or retailer who knowingly sells or offers to sell adulterated candy in violation of the bill would be liable to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for a first offense, and a penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each subsequent offense. Penalties against a distributor or retailer could not exceed $25,000 during a 30-day period. A manufacturer who knowingly submits a false certification of compliance or a false new or amended certification of compliance would be liable to a civil penalty not to exceed $75,000 for a first offense, and a penalty not to exceed $250,000 for each subsequent offense. Civil penalties imposed under the provisions of the bill are to be collected pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999." The commissioner or Attorney General may file an action in Superior Court for a violation of the provisions of the bill, including petitioning for injunctive relief or to recover any costs or damages incurred by the State in connection with a civil violation. Each violation of the provisions of the bill will constitute a separate violation for which the commissioner may obtain relief. The bill does not impose liability on news media that accept or publish advertising that may fall within the scope of the bill. The bill also establishes a separate, nonlapsing fund known as the "Reduction of Adulterated Candy Enforcement Fund" in the Department of the Treasury. The fund would be the depository for all penalties received pursuant to the bill, and all fees collected by the DOH to defray the cost of compliance, monitoring, inspection, sampling, testing, and enforcement activities required under the bill. The monies in the fund, and any interest earned, would be used by the DOH to administer and enforce the provisions of the bill, unless otherwise specified by law. | In Committee |
A2925 | "Economic Emergency Investment Stabilization Act"; allows EDA to invest in businesses impacted by major economic emergencies. | This bill would create the "Economic Emergency Investment Stabilization Program" for the purpose of authorizing the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to make direct equity investments in businesses that have been financially harmed by a "major economic emergency." Under the bill, the EDA may enter into a "matching investment agreement" with a qualified business to invest between $100,000 and $1,000,000 in the business during a major economic emergency, and six months after the end of the major economic emergency. The bill directs the EDA to fund the program with: 1) amounts from the "Economic Recovery Fund"; 2) moneys received by the EDA from the prior sale of equity stakes in businesses under this program; and 3) other EDA moneys. A business seeking EDA assistance under the bill is required to identify at least $1 of new outside investment, within 90 days of submission of the business's application, for each $1 of investment that the business is seeking from the EDA. The EDA may match the amount of new investments in a business, up to $1 million, made during a funding round, however, EDA's total investment in a business is limited to a 25 percent overall equity stake in a business. An equity investment made by the EDA under the bill must be on equal or better terms, for the authority, as those made by any of the outside investors. Under the bill, the EDA may only make an investment if it determines that the potential equity investment will be a material factor in the financial success or failure of the business during the major economic emergency, and that the business is likely, at the conclusion of the economic emergency, to return to a level of financial viability that will allow the EDA to exit its equity stake without taking a loss on its investment. The bill provides that the EDA may maintain its investment in a business for no more than 10 years after the end of the major economic emergency, however, the bill authorizes the EDA to maintain its investment for a longer period of time if it was unable to sell its investment during the first 10 years without taking a loss, and the anticipated increase in value by holding the investment for more than 10 years exceeds the public benefit that would accrue from selling the investment and using the proceeds for some other eligible use of the "Economic Recovery Fund." The bill directs the EDA, starting 12 months following the end of the major economic emergency, to start selling its equity investments under the bill, and to credit and deposit the proceeds therefrom to the "Economic Recovery Fund." | In Committee |
AR52 | Recognizes 75th anniversary of establishment of State of Israel. | April 25, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. This House commends the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East and reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between New Jersey and Israel for seven decades. This House recommits to working with Israel in its quest for peace with its neighbors and the countries in the region. | In Committee |
A2936 | "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act." | This bill would add legal protections for tenants against landlords who might otherwise try to use immigration status as a way of intimidating tenants who have exercised, or who are about to exercise, their housing rights. The bill would prohibit a landlord from evicting a tenant as a reprisal for or on the basis of the tenant's immigration or citizenship status. Under the bill, the term "immigration or citizenship status" would include a perception that a person has a particular immigration status or citizenship status, or that a person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, a particular immigration status or citizenship status. The bill would prohibit a landlord from threatening to disclose, or actually disclosing, information relating to the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, occupant, or other person known to the landlord to be associated with a tenant or occupant, for the purpose of influencing the person to vacate a dwelling unit. Additionally, the bill would prohibit a landlord from bringing an action to recover possession of a dwelling unit based solely or partially on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant. The bill would also prohibit a landlord from bringing an action to recover possession, or otherwise causing a tenant or occupant to quit involuntarily, because of the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, occupant, or other person known to the landlord to be associated with a tenant or occupant. This prohibition would not apply if a landlord's action is in compliance with a legal obligation under a federal government program that provides for rent limitations or rental assistance to a qualified tenant. The bill would enable a tenant to bring an action seeking damages, penalties, court costs and attorney's fees, and other equitable relief against a landlord that engages in prohibited conduct. The bill also provides that the immigration or citizenship status of a person is irrelevant to any issue of liability or remedy in a civil action involving a tenant's housing rights. The bill would prohibit inquiry into a tenant's immigration or citizenship status in a civil action involving a tenant's housing rights, unless the tenant places a person's immigration or citizenship status directly in contention, or the person seeking to make the inquiry demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the inquiry is necessary in order to comply with federal law. Under the bill, a tenant's assertion of an affirmative defense to an eviction action would not constitute cause for discovery or other inquiry into a person's immigration or citizenship status. The bill would establish an affirmative defense for a tenant to raise against an eviction action if the eviction action is commenced after the start of the lease term, and after the tenant has moved in, and if the action is based, in whole or in part, either on the citizenship or immigration status of the tenant, or on the tenant's failure to provide a social security number, credit information, or a form of identification acceptable to the landlord. The bill would establish an affirmative defense for a tenant against an unlawful detainer action if a tenant can prove that a landlord has violated provisions of this bill. The bill would establish a rebuttable presumption that a tenant or occupant has an affirmative defense against an unlawful detainer action if the landlord:· approved the tenant or occupant to take possession of a unit before filing an unlawful detainer action; and· included in the unlawful detainer action a claim based on one of the following:o the failure of a previously approved tenant or occupant to provide a valid social security number;o the failure of a previously approved tenant or occupant to provide information required to obtain a consumer credit report; oro the failure of a previously approved tenant or occupant to provide a form of identification deemed acceptable by the landlord. The bill specifically provides that it's provisions do not prohibit a landlord from:· complying with a subpoena, warrant, court order, or legal obligation including, but not limited to, a legal obligation under a government program that provides for rent limitations or rental assistance to a qualified tenant;· requesting information or documentation necessary to determine or verify the financial qualifications of a prospective tenant, or to determine or verify the identity of a prospective tenant or prospective occupant;· notifying a tenant that the tenant's conduct violates the terms of a lease, rental agreement, rule, or regulation. The bill does not enlarge or diminish a landlord's right to terminate a tenancy nor enlarge or diminish the ability of a municipality to regulate or enforce a prohibition against a landlord's harassment of a tenant. | In Committee |
A616 | Transfers jurisdiction over school meals programs from Department of Agriculture to DOE. | This bill would transfer authority over all school meals programs in the State from the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to the Department of Education (DOE). A "school meals program" is defined to mean and include: the National School Lunch Program; the federal School Breakfast Program, including a school breakfast after the bell program; the Summer Food Service Program or Seamless Summer Option; the Child and Adult Care Food Program; any emergency meals distribution program; and any other similar State or federal nutrition assistance program that is designed to ensure that children enrolled in school, or that children or adults attending a day care center or other, similar temporary care facility, have regular and affordable access to nutritious meals. The transfer of authority under the bill would not affect any civil or criminal actions or proceedings that have been brought by or against the DOA in association with its administration and enforcement of a school meals program, and which are pending as of the bill's effective date. Nor would the transfer affect any order or recommendation that has been made by, or any other matters or administrative proceedings that are pending before, the DOA as of the bill's effective date. The existing orders, rules, and regulations of the DOA that have been issued in relation to the State's school meals programs would also remain in effect until they are either repealed or superseded by rules, regulations, and orders adopted by the DOE pursuant to the bill, whichever occurs first. Although the DOA currently has authority to administer and enforce all school meals programs operating in the State, this authority is superfluous to, and takes the department's attention away from, its main purposes and functions, which are to promote and protect the State's agriculture and agribusiness industries and lands, and to conserve soil and water resources for agricultural purposes. The primary purpose and function of the DOE, by contrast, is to support schools, students, educators, and school districts in order to ensure that students are capable of achieving academic excellence. Because access to nutritional meals is a proven means by which students enhance their capacity for academic success, and because the DOE's mission already requires it to focus on programs geared toward schools and students, the DOE is better positioned, and is the more appropriate department, to administer the school meals programs and to provide assistance to schools, students, parents, and guardians, in association with the operation of those programs. | In Committee |
AR85 | Supports the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act. | This resolution expresses the General Assembly's unequivocal support for the Emmett Till Antilynching Act and the continued use of legislation to address historical injustices. Historically, Congress has failed to pass anti-lynching legislation over 200 times. However, in March 2022, the federal Emmett Till Antilynching Act was enacted, making lynching a hate crime under federal law. This act is the first legislation of its type in more than 100 years. Unfortunately, other forms of racial violence exist that also need to be addressed through legislation, and the General Assembly expresses its unequivocal support of the continued use of legislation to remedy historical injustice. | In Committee |
A2917 | Requires that definition of occurrence in certain property damage liability insurance policies include coverage for faulty workmanship. | This bill requires commercial liability insurance policies to contain a definition of "occurrence" in order to provide more certainty with respect to coverage for faulty workmanship. This bill provides that a commercial liability insurance policy shall not be delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this State, on or after the bill's effective date, unless the policy contains a definition of occurrence that includes: (1) an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions; and (2) property damage or bodily injury resulting from faulty workmanship. Construction contracts typically require that the general contractor and any subcontractors performing work on a project secure commercial liability insurance that includes coverage for both property damage and bodily injury caused by an occurrence. Notwithstanding that this coverage is most often written on standard form insurance policies, courts have varied in their holdings as to whether damage from faulty workmanship is accidental in nature and therefore within the definition of an occurrence, for which coverage is provided. See, for example, Weedo v. Stone-E-Brick, 81 N.J. 233 (1979), Fireman's Ins. Co. of Newark v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., 387 N.J.Super. 434 (App. Div. 2006), Pennsylvania National Mutual Cas. Ins. Co. v. Parkshore Dev. Corp., 403 Fed. Appx. 770 (3rd Cir. 2010), and Greystone Construction v. National Fire & Marine Insurance Company, 661 F.3d 1272 (10th Cir. 2011). By providing a definition of occurrence that addresses both accidents and faulty workmanship, the bill is intended to reduce confusion in industry practices by resolving coverage issues arising from the holdings in various court decisions. The bill also provides that it is not intended to restrict or limit the nature or types of exclusions from coverage that an insurer includes in a commercial liability insurance policy. | In Committee |
A2935 | Increases penalties for certain conduct at unpermitted mass gatherings on public beach. | This bill enhances the penalties for the crime of improper behavior if committed on a public beach under certain circumstances. Currently, improper behavior is a petty disorderly persons offense punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of up to $500, or both. The offense is committed when a person acts recklessly to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm. If this conduct occurs under unregulated circumstances on a public beach, the risk of escalation into uncontrolled violence is substantially greater. Recent violent outbreaks, such as the events that occurred at Pier Village in Long Branch, New Jersey, demonstrate the reality of this risk. This bill elevates this conduct to a disorderly persons offense if it occurs at an unpermitted mass gathering on a public beach. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. In addition, the bill provides that a person who organizes an unpermitted mass gathering on a public beach and threatens or encourages violence, destruction or property, or illegal drug or alcohol use during the event is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment a fine of up to $10,000, or both. In addition to any other fine or penalty imposed, a person or the legal guardian of a minor who is guilty of organizing an unpermitted mass gathering on a public beach is be responsible for paying the cost of any damages to persons or property resulting from the unpermitted mass gathering. Under the bill "unpermitted mass gathering on a public beach" means (1) an event or occasion occurring on a public beach, organized by an identifiable source, unrestricted as to the number of attendees, and notice for which was advertised on public media including, but not limited to, social media platforms or websites; (2) a permit to assemble has not been obtained from the municipality in which the event or occasion is held; and (3) the number of people attending or likely to attend is sufficient to strain the planning and response resources of the community or municipality in which the event or occasion is held, a determination which, once assessed by the municipality, has been declared through a public address or other emergency notification system. While recognizing the paramount constitutional right of persons to lawfully assemble, the risks posed by unregulated and unrestricted "pop-up" events pose unique risks, including violence and destruction of property. | In Committee |
A1581 | Provides gross income tax credit for certain expenses paid or incurred for care and support of qualifying senior family member; designated as Caregiver's Assistance Act. | This bill, designated as the Caregiver's Assistance Act, provides a gross income tax credit to qualified caregivers, including resident taxpayers and resident individuals, who pay or incur qualified care expenses for the care and support of a qualifying senior family member. The bill provides that to be allowed a credit qualified caregivers who pay or incur qualified care expenses must have gross income that does not exceed an annual income limitation. The bill specifies that qualified caregivers must have gross income that does not exceed $100,000, or does not exceed $50,000 if married or a civil union partner filing separately or if unmarried, not a partner in a civil union, and not filing or eligible to file as head of household or as a surviving spouse for federal income tax purposes, to be allowed the credit. The bill provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 22.5 percent of the qualified care expenses paid or incurred by the qualified caregiver during the taxable year for the care and support of a qualifying senior family member that are not in excess of $3,000. The bill provides that if multiple qualified caregivers are allowed a credit for qualified care expenses of the same qualifying senior family member, the credit allowed will be allocated in equal amounts unless a different allocation is established by agreement. The bill provides that the credit is in addition to the benefit of the dependent deduction that may be received by the qualified caregiver for claiming the qualifying senior family member as a dependent on the caregiver's gross income tax return. The bill provides that the credit is refundable: the amount of any credit that reduces the qualified caregiver's tax liability to an amount less than zero is required to be refunded to the caregiver as an overpayment of tax. The bill provides that a qualified caregiver is eligible to receive the benefits of the credit, even if the caregiver has gross income below the statutory minimum subject to tax. The bill defines a qualifying senior family member as an individual who: (1) is 60 years of age or older and a relative of the qualified caregiver, or is 50 years of age or older, is a relative of the qualified caregiver, and qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance, and (2) has gross income for the taxable year not in excess of the New Jersey Elder Index, as reported by the Department of Human Services pursuant to P.L.2015, c.53 (C.44:15-1 et seq.) for the most recent calendar year. The bill generally defines qualified care expenses as the expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year for the purchase, lease, or rental of tangible personal property and services that are necessary to allow the qualifying senior family member to be maintained within or at the qualified caregiver's or the qualifying senior family member's permanent place of abode in this State. | In Committee |
A2914 | Directs public utility to reimburse municipality for police services required for safe completion of public utility project no later than 60 days after municipality submits bill to public utility. | This bill requires a public utility to reimburse a municipality no later than 60 days after the municipality submits a bill to the public utility for all actual and related costs a municipality incurs in providing police services required for the safe completion of a public utility project, unless the municipality and public utility have a prior payment agreement established pursuant to local ordinance. If the public utility, after having received a bill from a municipality, elects to enter into negotiations with the municipality concerning the bill, the 60-day bill submission period is to pause on the day negotiations begin and is to resume the day negotiations end. A public utility's reimbursement to a municipality for police services is not to be recoverable from ratepayers. This bill also provides that in a civil action brought against a public utility by a municipality to recover financial losses sustained from providing police services, the court, in its discretion, may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs of a civil action incurred by a plaintiff recovering judgment. A public utility's payment of reasonable attorney's fees and costs of a civil action is not to be recoverable from ratepayers. | In Committee |
A2907 | Permits installation of GPS navigation devices which do not obstruct motor vehicle operator's vision. | This bill permits the installation of a motor vehicle global positioning system navigation device on the dashboard, console, or windshield of a motor vehicle, provided that the device is mounted or located in a position that does not unduly restrict or interfere with the vision of the operator of the motor vehicle. | In Committee |
A3338 | Shortens timeframe for municipality to rehabilitate certain abandoned property. | This bill would reduce the time a municipality has to wait before acting to rehabilitate abandoned property under the "Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act," P.L.2003, c.210 (C.55:19-78 et al.). Currently, a property has to be unoccupied for six months before the municipality may designate the property abandoned and begin the process to take possession of the property under that law. This bill would reduce that timeframe to three months. The bill would help speed the rehabilitation of abandoned properties, which create a range of problems for the communities in which they are located. | In Committee |
A2899 | Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act." Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, is directed to establish a program to provide for the tuition-free enrollment of certain public high school students who enroll in dual enrollment courses at a local county college. In determining eligibility for the tuition benefit provided pursuant to the bill, the criteria will be the same as the Statewide eligibility standards regarding family need established by the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund to qualify for financial assistance from the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund. A student may receive up to 3 credits tuition-free per semester, and no more than 6 credits tuition-free in a school year in each of the 11th and 12th grades provided that: (1) the school district in which the student is enrolled has entered into a dual enrollment agreement with a county college pursuant to the provisions of State law; and (2) the student has earned a minimum grade point average to indicate college readiness, as determined by the commissioner. In order to maintain eligibility for the program, a student shall receive a grade of C or higher for all college courses completed through the program. In the event that an otherwise eligible student does not meet the minimum grade point average requirement established pursuant to this section, the student shall be eligible to complete one remedial course through the county college tuition-free per semester of eligibility. Under the bill, the State will bear the cost of tuition for students who participate in the program. The Commissioner of Education is directed to annually submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the program. | In Committee |
A2894 | Requires municipalities to conduct lead paint inspections in single- and two-family dwellings; requires reporting of inspection results to State. | This bill would require municipalities to inspect every single-family and two-family rental dwelling located within the municipality for lead-based paint hazards at least once every five years, except municipalities would inspect single-family and two-family rental dwellings on which encapsulation has been performed to remediate lead-based paint hazards at least once every two years. Municipalities would charge a fee for the inspection at a rate proportional to the current "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law" fee schedule. In addition, municipalities would be required to impose an additional fee of $20 per unit inspected for deposit into the "Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund." In a municipality that maintains a permanent local agency for the purpose of conducting inspections and enforcing laws, ordinances, and regulations concerning buildings and structures within the municipality, the permanent local agency would inspect single-family and two-family rental dwellings located within the municipality for lead-based paint hazards. If the municipality does not maintain a permanent local agency that conducts inspections and enforces laws, ordinances, and regulations concerning buildings and structures within the municipality, then the municipality would hire a lead evaluation contractor, certified to provide lead paint inspection services by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), to inspect single-family and two-family rental dwellings located within the municipality for lead-based paint hazards. A permanent local agency or lead evaluation contractor with the duty to inspect single-family and two-family rental dwellings may consult the local health board, the Department of Health, or the Department of Community Affairs concerning the criteria for the inspection and identification of areas and conditions involving a high risk of lead poisoning in dwellings, methods of detection of lead in dwellings, and standards for the repair of dwellings containing lead paint. Furthermore, this bill would require a permanent local agency or lead evaluation contractor with the duty to inspect single-family and two-family rental dwellings to report annually the number of inspections conducted and identify areas that have a high risk of lead exposure to the Department of Community Affairs. The department would establish an electronic system for this purpose. The bill would require the department to compile the reports and make them available to the public on the department's Internet website in a searchable format. The department would submit an annual report to the Department of Health, the Governor, and the Legislature detailing Statewide lead inspection activity and including recommendations for more efficient lead hazard detection and abatement. Under this bill, municipalities would be responsible for conducting inspections of single-family and two-family rental dwellings for lead-based paint hazards, but the DCA would remain responsible for the promulgation of regulations concerning the presence of lead-based paint hazards in single-family and two-family rental dwellings pursuant to subsection (w) of section 7 of P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-7). The bill would also require owners of tenant-occupied single-family and two-family residential property to file a certificate of registration with the clerk of the municipality, or with such other municipal official as is designated by the clerk, in which the residential property is situated. Properties that have been certified to be free of lead-based paint or of having a lead-free interior, properties that were constructed during or after 1978, and seasonal rental units would be exempt from the inspection and registration requirements. These exemptions are consistent with provisions of current law governing multiple dwellings. Under current law, the DCA must inspect single-family and two-family rental dwellings for lead-based paint hazards at least once every five years. Currently, owners of tenant-occupied single-family and two-family residential property must also file a certificate of registration with the DCA. This bill would shift inspection and registration duties from the DCA to the municipality in which the rental property is situated. | In Committee |
A2938 | Requires landlords of certain properties providing child care services who refuse lead service line replacements to install and maintain water filters. | This bill would require a landlord of a residential or nonresidential building, in which space is rented by a child care services provider, to install and maintain certain water filters in the building if the landlord has previously denied a public community water system access to the property-owner side of a lead service line for the purposes of enabling the complete replacement of the lead service line. Specifically, the bill would require the landlord to install and maintain point-of-use filters certified by an accredited third-party certification body to meet NSF/ANSI standards 42 and 53 at all fixtures that are used, or are intended for use, by the child care services provider, to supply water for the purposes of drinking, food preparation, or making baby formula. As defined by the bill, "NSF/ANSI standard" means a water treatment standard developed by the National Sanitation Foundation, International, and the American National Standards Institute. The landlord would also be required to annually certify, to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), that the landlord has installed and is properly maintaining and replacing the filters. The bill would authorize the DEP to issue a civil administrative penalty of up to $500 per day for landlords who fail to install or maintain the filters or who fail to properly certify this fact to the DEP. The bill would also authorize a tenant of a landlord who violates the bill's provisions to file an action of rent escrow to pay rent into a court-administered escrow account until the necessary filters are installed. The bill would authorize the court to order that some or all of the money in the escrow account be paid to the landlord or the landlord's agent, to the tenant or the tenant's agent, or to any other appropriate person or agency for the purpose of installing the required filters or replacement cartridges, as applicable. If the landlord still fails to install the required filters or replacement cartridges following the authorization of rent escrow, the bill would authorize the tenant to file a civil action seeking damages and other appropriate relief, including injunctive and other equitable remedies. The bill would stipulate that, if the landlord's violation causes a tenant or secondary user of the property, such as a child or a child care employee, to have elevated blood lead levels, then there would be no limit or ceiling to the civil liability of the landlord. | In Committee |
A2895 | Upgrades certain penalties for criminal street gang recruitment and criminality; imposes mandatory minimum sentence for certain offenses; establishes accomplice liability and imposes restrictions for certain recruiters. | This bill upgrades certain penalties for criminal street gang recruitment and criminality, requires a court to impose a mandatory minimum sentence for certain offenses of criminal street gang recruitment of minors, establishes accomplice liability and imposes residency, employment, and hiring restrictions for certain recruiters. Current law provides that a defendant is guilty of an offense if it is committed by the defendant's own conduct, or by the conduct of another person for which the defendant is legally accountable. This bill provides that a defendant will be held accountable for the conduct of another person for a criminal act as an accomplice if the act is committed by a person that the defendant has caused, encouraged, intimidated, coerced, or solicited to commit the act while soliciting or recruiting the person to join or actively participate in a criminal street gang. Currently, it is a crime of the second degree to solicit, recruit, coerce, or threaten a minor to join or actively participate in a criminal street gang. A person who commits this crime on school property commits a crime of the third degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The bill requires a person who is convicted of soliciting or recruiting a minor to be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years during which time the defendant will be ineligible for parole. A person who is convicted of soliciting or recruiting a minor under 14 years of age will be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years during which time the defendant will be ineligible for parole. The court is not permitted to suspend the sentence or make any other non-custodial disposition of a defendant sentenced pursuant to these provisions. The bill's provisions also require a defendant who inflicts significant bodily injury upon another while soliciting or recruiting a person to join or actively participate in a criminal street gang to be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years during which time the defendant will be ineligible for parole. The bill also amends the law related to gang criminality. Under current law, a defendant is guilty of the crime of gang criminality if the defendant, whether as a principal or an accomplice, commits certain specified crimes if the crime was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang. The bill provides that a defendant will also be guilty of the crime of gang criminality if the crime was committed while causing, encouraging, intimidating, coercing, soliciting, or recruiting another to join or actively participate in a criminal street gang. The bill further provides that a defendant convicted as an accomplice for a crime committed by a person under 18 years of age who was solicited by the defendant to join a criminal street gang, commits a crime of the first degree and will be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years during which time the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. A crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. The bill also provides that a person convicted of soliciting or recruiting a minor to join a criminal street gang, or who is convicted of the offense while on school property, commits a crime of the fourth degree if the person resides within 500 feet of an elementary or secondary school or playground. A person is not subject to these residency restrictions if: the person is required to serve a sentence at a jail, prison, juvenile facility, or other correctional institution or facility which is located within 500 feet of an elementary or secondary school or playground; the person is receiving treatment at a mental health facility located within 500 feet of an elementary or secondary school, child care center, or playground; the person established the residence prior to the effective date of the bill; an elementary or secondary school, child care center, or playground is built or established within 500 feet of the person's existing residence; or the parole board, after considering an individual's housing options, determines that a needs-based exception is required. The provisions of the bill also provide that a person convicted of soliciting or recruiting a minor, or convicted of doing so on school property, who volunteers or is employed at a job which primarily consists of contact with children commits a crime of the fourth degree. "Primarily consists of contact with children" is defined under the bill to mean that 80 percent or more of the actual or official duties or responsibilities include contact with a child. It also is a crime of the fourth degree under the bill for a person to knowingly hire or provide a volunteer position which primarily consists of contact with children to a person convicted of soliciting or recruiting a minor on school property. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
A2928 | Permits cosigners to student loans under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program to make payments on loans; allows gross income tax deduction for certain payments under NJCLASS Loan Program. | This bill provides tax relief to cosigners and borrowers of student loans under the New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program. Specifically, under the bill, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) is required to permit a cosigner to a student loan in repayment status under the NJCLASS Loan Program to make payments on the loan in amounts to be determined by the cosigner. Payments made by a cosigner would be made voluntarily and in addition to any other amounts paid by the borrower of the loan. A cosigner making voluntary payments authorized under the bill would be eligible for a tax deduction. A taxpayer with gross income of $80,000 or less would be allowed to deduct an amount equal to the full amount of the taxpayer's payments on the NJCLASS loan. A taxpayer with gross income of more than $80,000 would be allowed to deduct an amount equal to 50 percent of the payments. In addition, the bill would allow a taxpayer with gross income of $80,000 or less, who is the borrower of a student loan under the NJCLASS Loan Program, to deduct from gross income an amount equal to the interest paid on the student loan during the taxable year. A taxpayer with gross income of more than $80,000 would be allowed to deduct an amount equal to 50 percent of the interest paid on the student loan during the taxable year. | In Committee |
A605 | Permits emergency medical technicians to administer certain vaccines during certain declared public health emergencies. | This bill permits emergency medical technicians to administer certain vaccines during declared public health emergencies. The bill provides that, during a declared public health emergency involving an outbreak of an infectious disease, an emergency medical technician in the State is to be authorized to administer a vaccine provided that: (1) the emergency medical technician is certified by the Department of Health (DOH) to administer vaccines that protect against the infectious disease that is the basis of the declared public health emergency; (2) the vaccine is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent against the transmission of the infectious disease that is the basis of the declared public health emergency; (3) the emergency medical technician has completed an educational vaccine administration training program that is based on guidance from the CDC and which has been approved by the DOH; and (4) a medical director or a supervising healthcare professional, whose scope of practice includes the administration of intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, documents the adequate competency of the emergency medical technician through a skills assessment checklist that is approved by the DOH. Under the bill, an emergency medical technician is to comply with any other restrictions or guidance concerning the vaccine as have been issued by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or the DOH. A vaccine administered pursuant to the bill's provisions may be administered pursuant to an individual prescription for the vaccine, a standing order for the vaccine issued by an authorized prescriber, or an immunization program or other program sponsored by an authorized governmental agency that is not patient specific. | In Committee |
A2606 | Revises requirements for assessing nursing home health, safety, and operations and for taking action against low-performing nursing homes. | This bill revises the requirements to take action against low-performing nursing homes. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to develop standards in three categories encompassing the physical well-being of residents, the mental well-being of residents, and the nursing home's operational metrics. The DHS and DOH will annually review standards to determine their efficacy in evaluating health, safety, and operations in nursing homes, as well as the effectiveness of sanctions, corrective action plans, and other measures used to respond to a low-performing nursing home. In the event a nursing home receives a one-star rating from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or fails to meet at least two of the DOH's standards in each of the three categories, the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services (DHS) will be required to take a series of scaling actions against the nursing home, with the penalties and sanctions increasing in each additional quarter in which the nursing home has a one-star CMS rating or fails to meet the DOH standards. When evaluating whether to impose sanctions against a nursing home, the division will be required to consult with the DOH and review the information concerning the nursing home that is available on the DOH's nursing home data dashboard. In the event the division does not take action against a nursing home, the division will be required to document the reason why action was not taken. Under the bill, the division is to require a nursing home that receives a one-star CMS rating or fails to meet the DOH standards in any three of the preceding four quarters to submit an improvement plan. A nursing home that fails to comply with the requirements concerning the submission and implementation of an improvement plan will be ineligible to receive reimbursement under the Medicaid program. The bill specifies that nothing in its provisions is to be construed to diminish the authority of the DHS, DOH, or any other department or agency overseeing nursing homes, and that actions taken against a nursing home under the bill will be in addition to any other penalties that may be imposed against the nursing home for health or safety violations. The DOH and DHS will be required to prepare and submit a joint annual report to the Governor and the Legislature outlining the implementation of the bill and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the provisions of the bill in fostering improvements in the health, safety, and quality of care provided in nursing homes. | In Committee |
A1810 | Prohibits sale of flavored cigarettes, non-premium cigars, and oral nicotine pouches. | This bill extends the current ban on the sale of flavored cigarettes to include menthol cigarettes, which were exempted from the flavored cigarette ban when it was first enacted in 2008. The bill also bans flavored oral nicotine pouches and non-premium cigars, as those terms are defined in the bill. The bill additionally makes the prohibitions and the penalties under the flavored cigarette ban applicable to retailers, rather than individuals. The revision to the flavor ban means that a retailer is not to, either directly or indirectly by an agent or employee, or by a vending machine owned by the retailer or located in the retailer's establishment, sell, offer for sale, distribute for commercial purpose at no cost or minimal cost or with coupons or rebate offers, give or furnish, to a person an oral nicotine pouch, a non-premium cigar, or a cigarette, or any component part thereof, which contains a natural or artificial constituent or additive that causes the oral nicotine pouch, non-premium cigar, or cigarette, or any smoke emanating from the cigarette or non-premium cigar, to have a characterizing flavor other than tobacco. In no event is an oral nicotine pouch, a non-premium cigar, or a cigarette or any component part thereof to be construed to have a characterizing flavor based solely on the use of additives or flavorings, or the provision of an ingredient list made available by any means. The existing penalties under the flavored cigarette bill will continue to apply, such that a retailer who makes a prohibited sale will be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $250 for the first violation, not less than $500 for the second violation, and $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. In addition, upon the recommendation of the municipality in which the violation occurred, following a hearing by the municipality, the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury may suspend or, after a second or subsequent violation, revoke the retailer's tobacco retailer license. The licensee will also be subject to administrative charges, based on a schedule issued by the Director of the Division of Taxation, which may provide for a monetary penalty in lieu of a suspension. | In Committee |
A2930 | Exempts persons seeking civil service Claims Examiner title from examination requirements for 24 months. | This bill exempts persons applying for the Department of Labor and Workforce Development title of Claims Examiner from the civil service exam requirements for a period of two years. Before the end of the two year exemption period, the employee must meet the eligibility requirements, and take and pass the appropriate exam to retain their employment. The purpose of this bill is to help with the claims examiner employee shortage within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Claims examiners, among other duties, interview claimants and workers regarding temporary disability or unemployment, process claims regarding unemployment matters, and process overpayments, adjustments, and refunds as appropriate. Exemption from the civil service exam requirements will help expand the pool of applicants for the position. | In Committee |
A2927 | Requires installation of certain rescue supplies on certain bridges. | This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Delaware River Port Authority, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, and the Delaware River and Bay Authority to install a cabinet on every bridge that has a total length of 100 feet or more and crosses over a waterway. The cabinet is required to include a rescue tube and life jacket that a first responder may use to rescue a person from drowning. | In Committee |
A3266 | Directs Commissioner of Education to develop sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials of interscholastic athletic sports programs. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop an interscholastic sports sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials. The training program is required to provide information on topics including, but not limited to:· gender and sexual orientation;· race and ethnicity;· disabilities;· religious tolerance;· unconscious bias; and· diversity and inclusion. In the development of the program, the commissioner will consult with the Division on Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill also directs the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require each person who coaches a public school district or nonpublic school interscholastic high school sport, and an athletic director who oversees a public school district or nonpublic school interscholastic high school sports program, to complete the training program every four years. Under the bill, each newly appointed coach or athletic director must initially complete the training program during his first year in that position. Finally, the bill provides that when an individual applies to a sports officials' chapter or association, the individual must certify that he has completed the training program. An active sports official must complete the training program every four years. | In Committee |
A2905 | Permits service of parking tickets by mail. | This bill provides that parking tickets may be served upon the owner of a vehicle by regular and certified mail if the operator is not present. The bill also would allow parking tickets to be served by regular and certified mail when they are issued in a municipality using a remote monitoring system to monitor parking. Under current law, a parking ticket is to be: (1) served upon the operator of the vehicle who is present at the time of service; (2) affixed upon the vehicle in a conspicuous place; or (3) served by any method under R.4:4-4 of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey. By amending current law, parking tickets could additionally be served by registered or certified and ordinary mail. Mailing a parking ticket, under the bill, would have the same effect as if the parking ticket was personally served on the owner or operator of the vehicle. Further, the bill provides that in any municipality where the governing body has authorized the installation and use of a remote monitoring system to monitor parking, such as through the use of video surveillance equipment or closed circuit television, a municipal law enforcement official may review the recorded images produced by the remote monitoring system to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to conclude that a parking violation has occurred. The law enforcement official is to issue a parking ticket within 30 days of the violation. A parking ticket is not to be issued if the remote monitoring system or equipment was not expressly authorized by the governing body of the municipality to monitor parking. | In Committee |
A2902 | Establishes geriatric parole for certain eligible inmates. | This bill establishes geriatric parole for inmates 65 years of age or older who have served a minimum of one-third their sentence and for inmates 60 years of age or older who have served one-half of their sentence. The appropriate board panel reviewing a request for geriatric parole is to consider the inmate's risk to public safety. Inmates who are serving a sentence for a sex offense as defined in Megan's Law or for committing or attempting to commit the following offenses are not eligible for geriatric parole: murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery, second degree arson, or terrorism. Additionally, inmates are not eligible for geriatric parole if serving a sentence for theft by deception, racketeering, or misapplication of entrusted property by a fiduciary in which the inmate caused the victim to suffer a loss of personal monetary savings as a result of fraud, misrepresentation, or violation of a fiduciary duty. The bill requires the board panel to notify the appropriate sentencing court, county prosecutor or Attorney General, and any victim or member of the family of a victim who are entitled to notice regarding parole. The sentencing court, county prosecutor or Attorney General, and any victim or member of the family of a victim would be afforded the opportunity to submit comments to the board panel. Under the bill, a denial of a request for geriatric parole does not preclude an inmate's eligibility for parole under current law. | In Committee |
A3113 | "Garden State Manufacturing Jobs Act." | This bill permits the establishment of a new type of corporation termed as a Garden State Corporation. Garden State Corporations would be corporations that are principally engaged in manufacturing, principally utilizing facilities located in New Jersey, and which provide employees with a greater role in the corporate decision-making process. Garden State Corporations would qualify for credits against the corporation business tax. The bill allows a corporation to be formed as a Garden State Corporation, an existing corporation to convert to become a Garden State Corporation, and a Garden State Corporation to terminate its status as a Garden State Corporation. The certificate of incorporation or by-laws of a Garden State Corporation must provide that half of the members of the board of directors of the corporation are elected by the employees of the corporation who work in New Jersey facilities. The employee-elected members of the board would have access to all corporation documents and records and equal authority with other members of the board regarding all matters affecting the business and affairs of the corporation, including:· The selection and removal of officers of the corporation;· The amendment or repealing of the by-laws or the certificate of incorporation of the corporation;· Any decision regarding the location of corporation facilities;· Any decision to seek to obtain or terminate the status of the corporation as a benefit corporation under the provisions of P.L.2011, c.30 (C.14A:18-1 et seq.); and· Any decision that may result in the termination of the status of the corporation as a Garden State Corporation. To qualify as a Garden State Corporation, a corporation's governing documents must include procedures regarding the election of the employee-elected board members which require that only employees of the Garden State Corporation who work in facilities in New Jersey are eligible to seek election and serve as employee-elected members of the board of directors. The bill requires that each employee of the corporation who works in facilities in New Jersey, without respect the position or rank of the employee or the amount of any ownership interest that the employee may have in the corporation, have the right to vote in the selection of the employee-elected members of the board of directors, with the vote of the employee vote having equal weight with the vote of any other employee, and the right to seek election as an employee-elected member of the board of directors and serve on the board if elected. The bill provides that a Garden State Corporation would qualify for credits against the corporation business tax. These credits vary as to years of operation and whether the Garden State Corporation is also a "benefit corporation" under P.L.2011, c.30 (C.14A:18-1 et seq.). If a corporation is a Garden State Corporation but not a "benefit corporation," the bill allows the corporation credits against its liability for the corporation business tax of: 35% during the first five tax years in which it is continuously a Garden State Corporation; 25% during the sixth and seventh tax years, and 15% during the eight and ninth tax years. If a corporation is both a Garden State Corporation and a "benefit corporation," the bill allows the corporation credits against its liability for the corporation business tax of: 60% during the first five tax years in which it is continuously both a Garden State Corporation and a benefit corporation; 45% during the sixth and seventh tax years, and 30% during the eight and ninth tax years. The number of tax years in which the lower tax credit for being only a Garden State Corporation applies would be reduced by the number of years in which the higher tax credit for being both a Garden State Corporation and a "benefit corporation" applies, thus limiting to nine the total number of tax years to which the credits may apply. | In Committee |
A2913 | Prioritizes investment of State administered pension funds in in-state infrastructure project investments over comparable out-of-state infrastructure project investments. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of Treasury to prioritize the investment or reinvestment of the assets of any pension or annuity fund under the jurisdiction of the division in an in-state infrastructure project over a comparable out-of-state project. The condition of infrastructure in the US, including New Jersey, is deteriorating. While the US is facing major challenges in maintaining investments in infrastructure across the country, some states are investing pension funds in in-state infrastructure projects. In 2014, the California Public Employees' Retirement System invested $107 million in seven California-based infrastructure projects, which supported 1,300 jobs in California. California prioritizes these in-state investments only if the investment is a prudent investment. Currently in New Jersey, the Director of the Division of Investment is authorized to invest State administered pension funds in infrastructure. With this bill, if the State is to invest in infrastructure, the State would prioritize in-state infrastructure projects instead of investing those funds in comparable out-of-state projects. The bill provides an opportunity for the State to not only receive a comparable return on its investments in in-state infrastructure, but would improve the condition of State infrastructure in doing so. | In Committee |
A2937 | Requires health insurers, SHBP, and SEHBP to provide coverage for certain drug regimens for treatment of AIDS or HIV under certain circumstances. | This bill requires hospital, medical, and health service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, and health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, as well as the State Health Benefits Commission and the School Employees' Health Benefits Commission, to provide health benefits coverage for expenses for prescribed combination antiretroviral drug treatments that are medically necessary for the treatment of AIDS or HIV. The bill further specifies that coverage for this treatment shall be required as follows: (1) Coverage shall be required for a single tablet drug regimen in situations in which that regimen is as effective as a multitablet regimen. (2) In situations in which the multitablet regimen, consistent with clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, is clinically equally to, or more effective than, the single tablet drug regimen, and more likely to result in patient adherence, coverage shall be required for the multitablet regimen, provided the peer review of the literature has been performed by a health care provider with experience in treating infectious diseases. The bill requires insurers that use a prior authorization process to assess medical necessity with respect to the coverage required by this bill to complete that process within 14 days of the request for authorization. If the prior authorization process is not completed in that time period, the request for authorization shall be deemed to be approved. | In Committee |
A1404 | Changes perimeter for bow and arrow hunting around certain buildings; requires property owner to provide notice and obtain receipt from owners of adjacent properties of any hunting activity; designated as "Restoring Safety Buffer Law." | This bill amends current law to provide that, except for the owner or lessee of the building and persons specifically authorized by the owner or lessee in writing, a person shall not possess a nocked arrow for the purpose of hunting, taking, or killing wildlife while within 450 feet of an occupied building or a school playground. Current law prohibits hunting, taking, or killing of wildlife within 150 feet of an occupied building and within 450 feet of a school playground. In addition, the bill requires an owner of private property to provide written notice and obtain a written confirmation of its receipt from neighboring property owners and occupants that hunting, taking, or killing of wildlife will occur on the property. This bill, named "Restoring Safety Buffer Law," is in response to the tragic death of Tonka, beloved pet of a family living in Hunterdon County. Tonka, an Alaskan shepherd, was mistakenly shot with an arrow by a deer hunter. Tonka's family was unaware that hunting was occurring on the adjacent property and, therefore, was unable to take extra precautions to protect him from harm. This bill seeks to prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again by prohibiting hunting with a bow and arrow within 450 feet of an occupied building or a school playground, and requiring that a private property owner provide written notice and obtain a written confirmation of its receipt from neighboring property owners and occupants at least 24 hours prior to the occurrence of any hunting activity on the private property from the neighboring property owners. The private property owner is required to notify all property owners and occupants sharing a boundary with the property on which the hunting will occur. | In Committee |
A2915 | Establishes "Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program." | This bill establishes the "Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program" to permit customers of an electric public utility (utility) to invest in solar energy projects. Under the bill, the Board of Public Utilities (board) is to permit a customer of a utility to invest in a solar energy project in a manner and at a price that is determined by the owner of a solar energy project, provided that the solar energy project is connected to the electric grid and located in the service territory of the utility which services the investing customer. A customer who has invested in a solar energy project is to be permitted a credit on the customer's utility bill for the amount of electricity that the customer's investment has produced, provided that the credit is less than or equal to the customer's annual electric usage in the previous energy year. A customer is to be compensated for any credits each billing period or at the end of the annual billing period. As determined by the board, the board is to require the owner of a solar energy project to provide a copy of its agreement with its investing customer to the customer's utility, report the amount of electricity produced by the customer's investment each billing period to the customer's utility, and notify the customer's electric public utility once the agreement between the owner of the solar energy project and the customer has been terminated. The bill provides that the board is to make available on its Internet website information on solar energy projects whose owners are seeking investors. The bill requires the board to establish standards and an application process for owners of solar energy projects who wish to be included in the Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program. The standards for the Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program are to include, but not be limited to, a verification process to ensure that solar energy projects are producing an amount of electricity that is greater than or equal to the amount of electricity that is being credited to its investors' electric utility bills. | In Committee |
A2897 | Requires employers within construction industry to notify employees of certain rights. | This bill supplements the "Construction Industry Independent Contractor Act," P.L.2007, c.114 (C.34:20-1 et seq.), which establishes a standard for the misclassification of employees as independent contractors within the construction industry. Specifically, this bill requires employers subject to the provisions of that act to conspicuously post notification of the rights of employees to unemployment benefits, minimum wage, overtime and other federal and State workplace protections, as well as the protections against retaliation and the penalties provided under P.L.2007, c.114 (C.34:20-1 et seq.). This notice must contain contact information for individuals working for the employer or their representatives to file complaints or inquire with a representative of the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development about the provisions and possible violations of P.L.2007, c.114 (C.34:20-1 et seq.), as well as be provided in English, Spanish or other languages required by the commissioner. Employers who violate these provisions will be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and, upon conviction, be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,500 for a first violation, and up to $5,000 for any subsequent violation within a five year period. | In Committee |
A2749 | Decreases the premium receipts tax for surplus lines insurance coverage. | This bill decreases the premium receipts tax for surplus lines coverage, whether procured directly by the insured or through a surplus lines agent, from 5% to 3%. This decrease represents a reduction in this tax to the same level at which it existed prior to the enactment of P.L.2009, c.75. Additionally, in response to this decrease, the bill clarifies that of the 3% premium receipts tax paid, all of it shall be paid to the treasurer of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association in the case of any surplus lines policies that cover fire insurance on property located in a municipality or fire district with a duly incorporated firemen's relief association. This is merely a continuation of the current law's dedication, and accounts for the bill's elimination of the additional 2% tax on such policies, which under P.L.2009, c.75 was forwarded to the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. | In Committee |
A2892 | Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for recipients of Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income who are veterans or spouses of veterans and provides for annual cost-of-living increase in allowance. | This bill increases the personal needs allowance for veterans and their spouses who are recipients of Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and reside in a nursing home or developmental center, or are patients in a psychiatric hospital. This allowance is used to purchase personal items, such as clothing, grooming aids, newspapers, and other items not regularly provided by the facility in which the recipients reside. The bill provides that the monthly personal needs allowance for Medicaid recipients who are veterans or the spouses of veterans is to increase from $35 to $50, and that the monthly personal needs allowance for recipients of SSI who are veterans or the spouses of veterans is to increase from $40 to $50. The bill further provides that these amounts will be increased annually, on January 1 of each year, by the same percentage as the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits that year. In the case of SSI recipients, the bill provides that the Commissioner of Human Services shall administer the $10 increase provided in the bill if the federal government, which provides the basic allowance, cannot administer the increase. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Human Services to apply to the federal government for such Medicaid State plan amendments as may be necessary to increase the personal needs allowance for Medicaid recipients, and to seek federal government approval for the commissioner's administrative plan to implement the increase for SSI recipients. The respective increases provided for in the bill will not be operative until such time as the commissioner receives federal approval for the Medicaid State plan amendment and the commissioner's SSI administrative plan. | In Committee |
A2919 | Requires businesses to report email address to Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. | This bill requires businesses to report their email addresses to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which must report those addresses to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Specifically, any business required to comply with any business registration requirements of the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services in the Department of Treasury or any successor agency must establish and maintain an email address capable of sending and receiving emails, and annually report that email address to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which is required to provide those email addresses to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Pursuant to the bill, "business" means an individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, corporation, or other legal business entity or successor thereof, including a nonprofit corporation or organization, but does not include a government agency. The bill requires the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, to promulgate regulations to enforce the requirements of the bill. The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development are to utilize the email addresses provided to communicate and provide notices to businesses. Any electronic messages sent to an email address are to be in addition to and do not take the place of any requirements for paper or other forms of communication to businesses, as required by current law or regulation. Any business found to be in violation of this bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $250 per year for each year that the party is in violation of the bill. | In Committee |
A2910 | Permits up to 10 children to be cared for by a registered family day care provider. | This bill increases, from five to 10, the number of children that may be cared for by a registered family day care provider. Under current law, municipalities must permit a registered family day care provider to operate such a business out of the provider's home, even if located in a residential district. The bill requires a family day care home providing child care services to more than five children to meet all applicable health and safety code requirements, in addition to all of the provisions of the "Family Day Care Provider Registration Act," P.L.1987, c.27 (C.30:5B-16 et seq.). A family day care home must also have at least one additional person who has the required training present at all times providing care to the children. The bill also authorizes the family day care sponsoring organization to provide appropriate training to any person employed by the provider or volunteering to assist in the provision of child care services. The bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to use federal block grant funds from the FFY2016 Child Care and Development Block Grant or any other available federal funds to provide the additional family day care provider training required pursuant to this bill. | In Committee |
A1481 | Directs DEP to take certain actions concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water, and requires DEP and BPU to study and promote use of microplastics removal technologies. | This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in consultation with the Drinking Water Quality Institute, to establish a definition of the term "microplastics," and a standard methodology to be used by public water systems in the testing of drinking water for microplastics. The DEP would be required to establish requirements for the testing and reporting of the concentration of microplastics in drinking water for a four year period by public water systems, and the public disclosure of test results. In addition, the DEP would be required to establish criteria to accredit qualified laboratories in New Jersey to analyze microplastics. The bill also requires the DEP and the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to commence a study to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of the use of microplastics removal technologies by system owners or operators to remove microplastics from drinking water and wastewater in the State. In conducting the study, the DEP and BPU would cooperatively engage in a stakeholder engagement process, which shall include consultation with, and the solicitation of testimony and information from: (1) experts in the operation of water supply, water treatment, or wastewater collection or treatment systems; the operation of water filtering systems or removal technologies; the proper handling or disposal of microplastics; or the study or remediation of water pollution or contaminants; (2) marine biologists, oceanographers, water quality specialists, environmental scientists, toxicologists, public health experts, and other members of appropriate scientific fields; and (3) representatives of the plastics manufacturing industry; (4) members of the public; and (5) other relevant and interested parties. The bill would also require the DEP and BPU to authorize system owners or operators in the State to engage in pilot microplastics removal projects, with associated pilot project data to be included in the study. The bill would require the DEP to solicit and approve applications for, and take other appropriate action to facilitate, the implementation of pilot projects. No later than three months after completion of the study, the BPU would be required to prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and to the Legislature, identifying the findings from the study, and providing recommendations for legislative, executive, and other actions that can be taken to facilitate, encourage, and promote the increased use of microplastics removal technologies in the State. At a minimum, the report would include a strategic plan for the deployment and use of microplastics removal technologies. Following the submission of the report, the DEP and BPU would be required to engage in an ongoing, cooperative public education and awareness campaign in order to inform system owners or operators and members of the public about the dangers posed by microplastics, the importance of removing microplastics from drinking water and waste water, the technologies available on the market to remove microplastics from water, and the goals and primary elements of the strategic plan. | Dead |
A1608 | Requires carbon monoxide detectors in school buildings. | This bill would require the installation of carbon monoxide detection devices in schools, including public and private schools. Recently, several children and teachers were sickened and had to be hospitalized due to carbon monoxide exposure in a Georgia school. That incident could have been avoided with the installation of relatively inexpensive carbon monoxide detection devices. This bill would help prevent such an incident from happening in New Jersey and protect the health and safety of school children and employees by requiring the installation of these devices in all schools. This bill would not require the installation of carbon monoxide detection devices if it is determined that there is no potential carbon monoxide hazard in a school. Thus, these devices would not be required in a school which does not have a heat source that could potentially emit carbon monoxide fumes. The Commissioner of Community Affairs would promulgate regulations concerning the installation and standards for carbon monoxide detection devices, which current law requires to be installed in multiple dwellings and certain other residential housing. Inspection for installation of the devices would be done by local fire officials or the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs, depending upon which agency has jurisdiction for fire safety inspections in the area. The enforcing agency would be authorized to impose a fee for the costs associated with inspections and the issuance of certificates. | In Committee |
A2909 | Imposes requirements on certain pediatric emergency departments; requires DOH to include information on pediatric emergency departments in its annual hospital performance report. | This bill prohibits hospitals in the State from advertising to the public that they provide the services of level-one or level-two pediatric emergency departments unless certain requirements specified in the bill are met. The bill also requires that the Department of Health (DOH) include in its annual New Jersey Hospital Performance Report hospital-specific data pertaining to pediatric emergency care deemed by the department to be most relevant for inclusion in the report. Specifically, the bill requires that a level-one or level-two pediatric emergency departments have a board certified pediatric emergency medicine physician as its director and a certified pediatric emergency nurse responsible for day-to-day managerial responsibility. Neither the director nor the nurse manager would be permitted to hold that position in another facility. A level-one pediatric emergency department would further be required to be staffed on a 24-hour basis by a board certified pediatric emergency physician, a board eligible pediatric emergency physician, a board certified pediatrician with at least three years of experience working in a pediatric emergency department, or a board certified general emergency medicine physician with at least three years of experience working in a pediatric emergency department. The hospital would also be required to maintain a separate pediatric inpatient or pediatric intensive care unit. In addition, the hospital would be required to maintain staff with pediatric subspecialties specified in the bill and to maintain formal consultative relationships with additional specified physician subspecialists, who would be available for consultation within one hour of a request for consultation. Level-two pediatric emergency departments would be required to be in a space designated exclusively for the care of pediatric patients, and the hospital would be required to have a separate pediatric inpatient unit or pediatric intensive care unit, or a formal transfer agreement in place with a hospital that provides the services of a level-one pediatric emergency department. The hospital would also be required to maintain formal consultative relationships with specified physician pediatric subspecialists, who would be available for consultation within one hour of a request for consultation. The bill also requires that DOH compile data submitted annually by each general hospital from its pediatric emergency medicine registry pursuant to current department regulations, and to include in the annual New Jersey Hospital Performance Report hospital-specific data deemed by DOH to be most relevant for inclusion in the report. The bill would take effect on the first day of the sixth month after the date of enactment. | In Committee |
A2429 | Authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in places of religious worship; makes certain clarifications concerning their use in nonpublic schools. | This bill expands the scope of where Class Three special law enforcement officers may provide security to include places of religious worship. The bill further requires school districts which hire these officers to provide security in public schools to also hire them for the nonpublic schools in the district. Under the bill, the school district would be responsible for compensating the municipality for the officer's services in both public and nonpublic schools. P.L.2016, c.68 established an additional category of "Class Three" special law enforcement officers under the Special Law Enforcement Officers' Act to provide security in this State's public and nonpublic schools and county colleges. Appointed by the local police department, these officers are authorized to exercise the full powers and duties as those accorded full-time police officers of the department. A person is eligible to be appointed as a Class Three special law enforcement officer if he or she is a retired police officer less than 65 years old and has served as a duly qualified, fully-trained, full-time municipal or county police officer or was regularly employed as a full-time member of the State Police within the previous three years. The person also has to be physically capable of performing the job and have the appropriate law enforcement and safe schools resource officer training. These officers may only be employed to assist municipal police departments and are not to be employed to replace or substitute for full-time police officers. They may only be hired in a part-time capacity. Specifically under the bill, in addition to providing security in public and nonpublic schools and county colleges, Class Three officers could provide security in churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, or any other building used by a congregation as a place of religious worship. The bill does not require school districts to hire Class Three officers, but if they are hired to work in the public schools, these officers also are to be made available in nonpublic schools in the district. School districts, not the public or nonpublic school, would be required to directly pay for these officers under the bill. | In Committee |
AR84 | Supports Abraham Accords and recognizes importance of peace and coexistence in Middle East. | This resolution supports the Abraham Accords and recognizes the importance of peace and coexistence between Jewish, Muslim, and Christian peoples in the Middle East. The Abraham Accords include agreements with the State of Israel and several Arab League nations, mediated by the United States. The Abraham Accords are named after the patriarch Abraham, regarded as a prophet by both the religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and traditionally considered a shared patriarch of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian peoples. Prior to the accords, only two Arab League nations, the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1979 and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1994, had formally normalized relations with Israel. Since September 2020, four new nations, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Republic of the Sudan, have all signed respective peace agreements with Israel. The agreements formally normalize foreign relations, permit an exchange in ambassadors, and permit cooperation in technology, health, agriculture, and other areas. The accords are a monumental achievement, recognizing the importance of maintaining and strengthening peace in the Middle East and around the world based on mutual understanding and coexistence, as well as respect for human dignity and freedom, including religious freedom. | In Committee |
A2912 | Requires continuing identification and remediation of waste tire sites. | This bill would require any person responsible for the accumulation of waste tires at a site to remove and properly dispose of the waste tires and bring the site into compliance with the "Solid Waste Management Act," any other applicable laws, and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. The bill would also require the Department of Environmental Protection to develop as part of the Local Tire Management Program a recurring process to identify illegal waste tire sites as the tires accumulate. The process would be required to include, on an annual basis, the inspection of junk yards, previously remediated sites, other sites where there has been an accumulation of waste tires in the past, and the collection of information from local government officials and the public concerning possible illegal waste tire sites. The bill would require the department to prepare and issue an annual written report on the status of the program beginning one year after the date of enactment of the bill into law. Waste tire piles pose a risk to public safety and the environment. Runoff from scrap tire piles poses a risk to groundwater and surface water quality. Tire piles provide an ideal breeding site for mosquitos that may carry diseases such as Zika virus and West Nile virus. Further, tire fires emit particles and hazardous substances into the air, soil, and water that pose human health risks and cause environmental contamination. | In Committee |
A1811 | Requires DEP to adopt Statewide plan to reduce lead exposure from contaminated soils and drinking water. | This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection to develop and adopt, within one year after the effective date of the bill, a Statewide plan to reduce public exposure to lead in the environment. The department would be required to use existing soil testing results from site remediations that have been submitted to the department, as well as public water supply and private well testing results and any other relevant information it may have, in preparing the plan and any updates thereto. The department would be required to designate those geographic areas where lead in soils or drinking water poses the greatest danger of exposure to the public. The bill would require the department to identify public moneys that may be used to address the risks of exposure to lead and prioritize the expenditure of public moneys to remediate soils or drinking water supplies to minimize those risks. The bill would also require the department to develop a public education program to ensure the widespread dissemination of information concerning the health risks posed by lead exposure and measures that may be taken to minimize the risks. | In Committee |
ACR94 | Recognizes Armenian Genocide and condemns attacks against civilians in Republic of Artsakh. | This concurrent resolution recognizes the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire, as well as condemns modern day attacks against Armenian civilians in the Republic of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, done with the support of Turkey. During a period between 1915 and 1923, Armenians were subject to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre, and starvation, all of which were planned and orchestrated by the government of the Ottoman Empire. In all, approximately 1.5 million Armenians perished and hundreds of thousands more became homeless, stateless refugees. In 2019, the United States Congress expressed that it is the policy of the United States to recognize the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance; and on April 24, 2021, known as "Armenian Genocide Memorial Day" in Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, President Biden officially declared that the United States considers the historical events to be "genocide" in a statement. Despite the historical evidence and international recognition, some deny that the Armenian Genocide occurred, including the government of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey has supported recent efforts by Azerbaijan, including military support in 2020, in its attacks against the Armenian population and cultural sites within the Republic of Artsakh, which declared its independence from Azerbaijan. The resolution condemns the attacks by Azerbaijan, recognizes the Republic of Artsakh's right to self-determination and independence, and respectfully urges the President of the United States and United States Congress to do the same. The resolution also expresses that it would be the policy of New Jersey to: (1) commemorate the Armenian Genocide and acknowledge the crimes against Armenians by the government of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historical significance; (2) reject efforts to enlist, engage, or otherwise associate the State of New Jersey with denial of the Armenian Genocide or any other genocide; and (3) encourage education and public understanding of the facts of the Armenian Genocide, including the role of the United States in humanitarian relief efforts, and the relevance of the Armenian Genocide to modern-day crimes against humanity from the 2020 attack on the Republic of Artsakh. | 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 |
A2923 | Extends county-based real property assessment program to Passaic County. | This bill would extend the provisions of the "Property Tax Assessment Reform Act," P.L.2009, c.118 (C.54:1-86 et al.), which created county-based real property assessment as a pilot program in Gloucester County, to include Passaic County. Under the provisions of the bill the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders would appoint a county assessor, who would effectuate the transfer of the assessment function to the county assessor over a three-year period, in accordance with a schedule developed by the county assessor. Under the bill, the transfer of the assessment function from Passaic County's municipalities to the county would require the revaluation of real property in of the all municipalities within the county to create uniformity of assessment throughout the county. The county assessor would have the authority to assist in the orderly revaluation of all of the municipalities within the county, including the authority to grant a municipality a waiver from the revaluation requirement if the municipality has implemented a revaluation within the preceding 24 months and the county assessor believes that the revaluation produced accurate valuations that are still relevant. The county assessor would be aided by deputy county assessors and assistant deputy county assessors, who would be recommended for appointment by the county assessor and appointed by the county board of chosen freeholders at any time after the appointment of the county assessor. Under the bill, the State would be required to reimburse Passaic County for the cost of the necessary revaluations using funds from either the SHARE program or from the Consolidation Fund, or both. The reimbursements would be made in equal installments, over three years. If funding from the SHARE program or the Consolidation Fund is not available for this purpose, the bill would require the State to reimburse Passaic County using moneys available from the Property Tax Relief Fund, in equal installments, over three years. The bill would also require Passaic County to operate, on a permanent basis, under the alternative real property assessment dates established for municipalities participating in the "Real Property Assessment Demonstration Program," P.L.2013, c.15 (C.54:1-101 et al). The alternative real property assessment calendar is designed to address the systemic costs which result from losses due to successful assessment appeals by property owners, which reduce the property tax base, and which require municipalities to refund large amounts of property taxes previously collected from those property owners. Under current law, with respect to municipalities located in a county that is not operating under the "Real Property Assessment Demonstration Program," every municipal tax assessor files the municipality's tax list with the county board of taxation, which subsequently sets the local tax rates. Assessment appeals are filed by property owners on April 1 of each year (or on May 1 in the case of a municipality that has undergone a municipal-wide revaluation or reassessment of real property). Appeals are heard by the county tax board and generally decided in most, if not all, cases by the end of July. Successful appeals that late in the tax year result in reduced assessments, which reduces the municipal tax base. Because the county tax board will have already apportioned the tax levy, a decrease in the tax base will result in the under-collection of property taxes to fund current year operations. The real property assessment calendar enacted as part of the "Real Property Assessment Demonstration Program" re-schedules the property assessment appeal process to dates prior to the calculation of the local property tax rate, which allows for a more accurate local property tax rate to reflect local budgetary needs and the true value of the tax base that provides the property tax revenue to fund the local budget. It is anticipated that a shift from municipal-based real property assessment to county-based real property assessment will provide significant savings for Passaic County's property taxpayers, given Gloucester County's experience with county-based assessment. In its "Report to the New Jersey Division of Taxation Regarding the Performance of the Gloucester County Assessor's Pilot Program" from 2015, Gloucester County reported savings of over $2 million per year resulting from the efficiencies realized from county-based real property assessment. In 2014 dollars, the Gloucester County Assessor's Office maintained assessments at a per tax line item cost per year of $20.79, 46% lower than the municipal cost of $38.56 per line item. Passaic County's property taxpayers could see similar cost savings resulting from a change to county-based real property assessment. | In Committee |
AJR26 | Designates October 27th of each year as "Tree of Life Remembrance Day" in New Jersey. | On October 27, 2018, a mass shooting fueled by religious and ethnic animus towards Jewish people occurred at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The senseless act of violence resulted in the loss of eleven innocent lives and injury to six others. The people of New Jersey share the grief of the families and friends of those who were injured or killed, and the designation of October 27th of each year as "Tree of Life Remembrance Day" would allow New Jersey residents to annually recognize the victims of that mass shooting and honor their memories. | In Committee |
A2911 | Requires practitioners to disclose business relationship with out-of-State facilities when making patient referrals to those facilities. | This bill seeks to ensure that when patients are referred by their practitioners to health care services located, or owned by an entity that is located, outside this State, the patients are notified of any business relationships that the practitioner may have with the out-of-State health care entity to which the patient is referred and other relevant information that the patient should consider. Specifically, the bill provides that a practitioner (a physician or podiatrist), who refers his patients to an out-of-State health care service in which the practitioner has a business relationship, shall provide the patient with a written disclosure of that relationship at or prior to the time that the referral is made, and post a copy of the disclosure in a conspicuous public place in the practitioner's medical office and on the practitioner's or the practitioner's professional corporation's website, if applicable. The bill defines "out-of-State health care service" to mean any health care service that bills for its services in the name of a business entity located out-of-State, regardless of whether the location at which health care services are provided, and to which the patient is referred, is located within the State. The written disclosure shall be in the following form: New Jersey law requires that a practitioner provide his patients with this disclosure form if the practitioner or the practitioner's professional corporation may have a business relationship with an out-of-State health care service, prior to referring his patient to that health care service. The law also requires that this disclosure include a list of health care service providers located within the county and contiguous counties in New Jersey that offer the same service for which the referral is being made, and indicate whether the out-of-State health care service will be considered to be, and reimbursed at, an "out-of-network" level by your health plan or other third party payer. This disclosure shall also include information related to any additional transportation costs that may be incurred by the patient or another party as a result of the referral to an out-of-State health care service. Accordingly, please be advised that ______________ [name of practitioner or practitioner's professional corporation, as applicable] has a business relationship with the following out-of-State health care service(s) to which I [or the professional corporation] refer patients: [list applicable health care services]· The business relationship involves ________________ [describe the nature of the business relationship]· You may, of course, seek treatment at a health care service provider of your own choice, and you may be able to access this service within the State of New Jersey. Health care service providers located in this county and contiguous counties in the State that are licensed to provide this health care service include: [list applicable health care services and their addresses]." · Please be further advised that the health care service to which you are being referred ___DOES ___DOES NOT participate in your health plan or other third party's provider network. If the health care service does not participate in your network, reimbursement for the services by your health plan or other third party payer will be at an "out-of-network" level, and may result in higher costs to you than if you received the health care service at a "network" provider. Please contact your health plan or other third party payer for additional information related to differences in reimbursement for in-network and out-of-network providers.· There may an increased cost associated with the out-of-State referral as compared to a referral to a comparable health care service located in New Jersey. [provide information about the cost differential, if any]· If the health care service that is the subject of the referral involves an overnight stay, your recovery may be affected by the location of the health care service, in terms of the ability of family and friends to provide needed support during and after hospitalization, and with respect to post-hospitalization care or rehabilitation. You may discuss this aspect of the referral with your practitioner. The bill defines "business relationship" to mean any financial relationship between a practitioner or a practitioner's professional corporation and a health care service, including, but not limited to: an employment, investment, or independent contractor relationship; any relationship involving payments made by or between the parties; or a relationship involving an exchange of any item or service of value by or between the parties. A practitioner who violates the provisions of this bill shall be subject to disciplinary action by the State Board of Medical Examiners pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-25). The bill takes effect on the 90th day after enactment. | In Committee |
A2224 | Establishes gross income tax credit for cost of certain postage for sending goods to members of United States Armed Forces and National Guard who are serving their country away from home. | This bill establishes a gross income tax credit for the amount of postage taxpayers pay the United States Postal Service to send parcels as priority mail to individuals serving in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard at military installations in the United States or abroad. Homesickness frequently befalls members of the Armed Forces and the National Guard while serving their country afield. To boost their morale, many send military personnel packages with cherished items from back home. The cost of postage can strain the ability of the home front to take care of those stationed or deployed afield. In allowing a tax credit for certain postage expenses, this bill removes a cost-prohibitive deterrent to sending goods of appreciation and caring to loved ones serving away from home. | In Committee |
A2916 | Concerns victim's right to rape care advocate under certain circumstances. | This bill establishes procedures to be followed by law enforcement officers, prosecutors, medical providers, and rape care advocates whenever there is an alleged sexual assault. Under the provisions of the bill, whenever there is an alleged sexual assault, the first responding law enforcement officer would immediately notify a local designated rape crisis center. The victim would have the right to have a rape care advocate present and to confer with the rape care advocate prior to and during any medical, evidentiary, or physical examination of the victim. A "designated rape crisis center" is a countywide organization, under contract with the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families, that provides counseling and advocacy services to victims of sexual offenses. Additionally, prior to the commencement of any medical, evidentiary, or physical examination, the first responding medical provider assigned to the case would immediately notify the local designated rape crisis center. The victim would be notified orally or in writing by the rape care advocate that the victim has the right to have present and to confer with a rape care advocate prior to and during the medical, evidentiary, or physical examination of the victim. As to law enforcement investigations, the victim would also have the right to have a rape care advocate present and to confer with the rape care advocate prior to and during any interview, statement, or contact with the victim by law enforcement authorities, prosecuting attorneys, or defense attorneys. Prior to the commencement of any law enforcement interview, statement, or contact with the victim by any prosecuting attorney pertaining to any criminal action arising out of an alleged commission of a sexual assault, the law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney would notify the local designated rape crisis center. The victim would be notified orally or in writing by the rape care advocate that the victim has the right to have a rape care advocate present and to confer with the rape care advocate prior to and during any such interview, statement, or contact with the victim by law enforcement authorities, prosecuting attorneys, or defense attorneys. | In Committee |
A2485 | Concerns the "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program." | This bill increases the maximum amount of the grant that may be awarded to eligible grantees under the New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program; eliminates the prohibition of an organization receiving more than one grant in an annual grant cycle; increases the minimum amount the office is required to request as part of its annual budget proposal to fund grants; and establishes allocation percentages for security personnel grants, target-hardening equipment grants, and outreach and grant writing assistance for the program. The bill increases an eligible organization's maximum security personnel grant from $10,000 to $25,000 per grant cycle and permits an eligible organization to submit multiple applications for and receive multiple personnel grants of up to $25,000 each for non-contiguous properties as defined by the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP); however, no more than $75,000 may be awarded in a single year to a single organization for personnel grants. The bill increases the maximum target-hardening equipment grant to an eligible organization from $50,000 to $100,000 per grant cycle. The bill eliminates the prohibition of a grantee receiving both a target-hardening equipment grant and a personnel grant in the same year. The bill increases the minimum amount the OHSP is to request annually as part of its annual budget proposal from $2 million to $14 million annually. Under current law, of the amount appropriated to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, five percent is to be allocated to the OHSP to be utilized to administer the program. The bill further establishes grant allocation percentages for outreach and grant writing assistance (four percent), target-hardening equipment grants (36 percent), and security personnel grants (55 percent). | In Committee |
AJR88 | Establishes working definition of antisemitism in NJ. | This joint resolution adopts a working definition of antisemitism for the State of New Jersey.Antisemitism, as well as discrimination, harassment, bias, and bigotry against those who are or who are perceived to be Jewish or have Jewish heritage remains prevalent throughout the world, including throughout the United States and in New Jersey and has both historical and contemporary contexts. According to data compiled by the New Jersey State Police, as of April 2022, anti-Jewish bias was cited as a motivation for 298 reported bias incidents in 2020 and 347 reported bias incidents in 2021. According to the Anti-Defamation League, one in four Jews in the United States reported having been impacted by antisemitism in 2021. In recent months, the country has witnessed a disturbing trend of public figures making comments, supporting viewpoints, and meeting with individuals that are widely regarded as antisemitic.Antisemitism is closely linked to other forms of bigotry and hatred. New Jersey law criminalizes acts of bias intimidation, defined as certain offenses committed with the purpose to intimidate or with the knowledge that the offense would intimidate an individual or group of individuals because of, among other protected characteristics, religion, ethnicity, or national origin. New Jersey law prohibits discrimination and bias-based harassment in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation on the basis of, among other protected characteristics, actual or perceived religion, ethnicity, ancestry, or national origin. Despite these prohibitions, many acts and occurrences of bias and bigotry go unreported or unaddressed. It is the responsibility of the State of New Jersey to reject and speak out against bias and bigotry, including condemning antisemitism in all its forms. A critical component of combatting antisemitism is understanding what antisemitism is. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance ("IHRA") is a thirty five-member intergovernmental organization created to focus on antisemitism and Holocaust-related issues. The IHRA has adopted a non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism, illuminated by useful examples, illustrations, and distinctions, to help guide and empower governments to understand and address the rise in hate and discrimination against Jews and those with Jewish heritage. The working definition of antisemitism may be used as an education and training tool for public officials, law enforcement offices, educators, and other public and private employees so that they may effectively raise awareness of and call out antisemitism and understand its impact. 38 countries including the United States have adopted or endorsed the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, as have several state and local governments.The working definition, as adopted by the IHRA on May 26, 2016, reads: "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities". The IHRA also notes, in the context of defining the concept of antisemitism, that criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.This working definition of antisemitism is intended as an analytical and educational tool and is not legally binding, and thus is not intended to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, or paragraph 6 of Article I of the New Jersey State Constitution. | In Committee |
A2891 | Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and cyber-harassment under certain circumstances. | This bill would expand the wiretap statutes to authorize wiretap orders for investigation of the following crimes or a conspiracy to commit them: luring or enticing a child, impersonation or theft of identity, stalking, and cyber-harassment. Current law authorizes wiretap orders for investigations of the following crimes or a conspiracy to commit them: murder; kidnapping; gambling; robbery; bribery; certain aggravated assault offenses; health care claims fraud; certain wrongful credit practices; money laundering; terrorism; false public alarms; causing or risking widespread injury or damage; certain damages to nuclear electric generating plants; terroristic threats; leader of a narcotics trafficking network; maintaining or operating an unlawful CDS production facility; unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing CDS; certain violations of the Casino Control Act; human trafficking; certain prostitution offenses; arson; burglary; certain theft offenses; endangering the welfare of a child; escape; certain forgery and fraudulent practices; alteration of motor vehicle identification numbers; unlawful manufacture, purchase, use, or transfer of firearms; unlawful possession or use of destructive devices or explosives; weapons training for illegal activities; racketeering; and leader of organized crime and organized criminal activity concerning certain hazardous substances. | In Committee |
A2931 | Enables imposition of local curfew to help curtail disorderly or riotous conduct. | This bill would enhance the ability of a municipality to respond to groups of disorderly people engaging or planning to engage in riotous or other violent and destructive behavior by imposing a curfew within all or a part of the municipality. Under the bill, if five or more persons are engaging in disorderly conduct that is likely to cause substantial harm, and a peace officer or other public servant orders the participants and others in the immediate vicinity to disperse, but the participants and others fail or refuse to disperse, the peace officer or other public servant would notify the mayor and the chief of police of the municipality of the existence of the disorderly conduct, and the failure of the participants and others to disperse. Further, if five or more persons agree to engage in disorderly conduct that constitutes an immediate threat to cause substantial harm, and a peace officer or other public servant orders the persons to not engage in such disorderly conduct, the peace officer or other public servant would notify the mayor and the chief of police of the municipality of the existence of the likelihood of the occurrence of disorderly conduct. Immediately after receiving such notice, the mayor and the chief of police of the municipality, in consultation with the municipal emergency management coordinator, would determine whether there exists, or there is a likely expectation of, violence or property destruction in all or part of the municipality, and whether the ability of law enforcement to exert control over the disorderly conduct may be enhanced by a declaration of a local emergency and the imposition of a curfew within all or part of the municipality. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, upon determining: the existence, or a likely expectation of, violence or property destruction in all or part of the municipality; and that the ability of law enforcement to exert control over the disorderly conduct may benefit from the declaration of a local emergency and the imposition of a curfew, the mayor may declare a local emergency and impose a curfew for all or a part of the municipality. A curfew declared under the bill would apply to all people within the area of the declared local emergency, may be enforced between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and may continue for a period of no more than seven consecutive days, unless the mayor extends the declaration and the curfew. The bill defines "mayor" to include the mayor or chief executive officer of the municipality, as appropriate to the form of government and defines "chief of police" to include the chief of police or other executive head of a municipal police department and force. The bill would further require the Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, to adopt certain guidelines related to the implementation of the bill. | In Committee |
A2901 | Requires public community water systems to provide customers with certain information regarding lead in drinking water. | This bill, to be known as the "Lead Education, Accountability, and Disclosure Act," would require public community water systems to provide customers with certain information regarding lead in drinking water. The bill would require public community water systems to include certain information on lead in drinking water in their annual Consumer Confidence Reports, prepared pursuant to the federal "Safe Drinking Water Act." This bill would require the Consumer Confidence Report to include information on: the possible sources of lead in drinking water, including, but not limited to, lead service lines, pipes, and fixtures; the health effects of lead in drinking water; and measures a customer can take to reduce or eliminate lead in drinking water. Additionally, under the bill, within 90 days after beginning water service to a new customer, a public community water system would be required to send the new customer a notice, in writing, containing the information on lead described above. If the public community water system provides for, and the new customer has requested, the ability to receive or access water bills in electronic format, the public community water system would also be required to send the notice in electronic format. As used in the bill, "new customer" includes any new residential, commercial, or institutional customer who connects, reconnects, or establishes new water service with the public community water system after the bill is enacted into law. Lastly, the bill would require public community water systems to notify all residential, commercial, and institutional customers and residents at least 48 hours prior to commencing any construction, maintenance, repair, or replacement of any lead service line or lead water main. The bill provides that, in the case of emergency work, this notice would be provided as soon as practicable, rather than 48 priors to commencing work. The notice would include, but not be limited to, the following information: (1) notification that the planned work may loosen lead-containing particles and temporarily increase lead levels in the water; (2) the estimated length of time that lead levels may remain elevated; (3) general information on the possible sources of lead in drinking water, and the health effects of consuming lead-contaminated water; (4) measures residents can take to reduce or eliminate their exposure to lead in drinking water; and (5) a recommendation that any lead service line serving the property be fully replaced, and a list of available resources to assist in any replacement. For all three notice requirements, the bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to publish a public notice on its Internet website and in the New Jersey Register specifying the information to be included in each notice. Public community water systems would not be required to provide the notices set forth in the bill until after the DEP publishes the public notices. | In Committee |
AR83 | Urges Congress to require VA hospitals to provide all routine screenings for women veterans on-site at each hospital. | Women have played a vital role as members of the military of our nation. Therefore, women veterans deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their well-being. All eligible women veterans have access to certain medical screenings either on-site at United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals or at facilities in the community. However, increased funding would permit VA hospitals to be able to provide all routine care screenings for women veterans on-site, removing the need for women veterans to travel to various locations for their routine screenings. Investing in the well-being of women veterans not only benefits those veterans, it benefits every citizen of the United States, as such an investment ensures that these individuals will thrive in their civilian lives. | In Committee |
A2898 | Concerns application of residential rental property inspection findings in rental assistance determinations and eviction actions. | This bill amends the "Prevention of Homelessness Act (1984)," P.L.1984, c.180 (C.52:27D-280 et al.), as well as P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1 et al.), which establishes the State Rental Assistance Program (S-RAP), to require any landlord benefitting from either program to maintain a record of compliance with State and local housing standards. The bill requires such landlords to also ensure that their rental units remain in compliance with the housing quality standards of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The bill functions in conjunction with a companion bill that requires the Department of Community Affairs ("DCA") to create and maintain a searchable electronic database of Statewide residential rental property inspection findings, and enables DCA to periodically consult the database to ensure that landlords benefitting from rental assistance payments maintain a record of compliance with local, State, and federal housing standards, and have promptly corrected any violations of those standards. The bill directs DCA to terminate the participation in the rental assistance program of any landlord who does not comply with these standards, provided such action shall not cause unnecessary hardship to a tenant. Additionally, this bill directs DCA to ensure that public housing authorities have access to consult the Statewide database to determine whether a landlord has a record of compliance with State and local housing standards. The bill allows the public housing authority to utilize this information in determining the frequency of periodic inspections of rental units in the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program. Finally, the bill directs DCA to ensure that New Jersey courts have access to consult the Statewide database as necessary in resolving eviction actions and other proceedings, in case any information contained therein is relevant to an action's resolution. For example, if the eviction action concerns the nonpayment of rent, and the tenant argues that he has withheld the rental payment in order to make necessary repairs to the unit, then any record contained in the Statewide database of the landlord's noncompliance with housing standards could support the tenant's defense against eviction. | In Committee |
A2900 | Establishes "Succeed in New Jersey" student loan reimbursement program for certain New Jersey residents employed in designated fields. | This bill would establish the "Succeed in New Jersey" student loan reimbursement program within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). The purpose of the program is to alleviate the burden of student loan debt for recent college graduates who are residents of New Jersey and are employed in certain fields designated as eligible for the program by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Loan reimbursement under the program will be used to reimburse an applicant for a portion of his student loan payments under a federal or New Jersey student loan program for a maximum period of three years. To be eligible to receive loan reimbursement under the program, an applicant must: (1) be a resident of New Jersey and have resided in the State for at least 3 months; (2) be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen; (3) have earned an undergraduate degree in or after December 2014; (4) apply for the program within four years of obtaining an undergraduate degree; (5) have an outstanding student loan balance under a federal or New Jersey student loan program; (6) be employed in one of the designated fields with a primary work location in New Jersey; and (7) have an income that does not exceed 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Under the program, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development will designate up to five fields of employment that qualify an eligible applicant for student loan reimbursement. Each field must meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) the field currently has an unmet workforce need in the State; or (2) the field provides a public good or benefit to the citizens of the State and is a low wage field. Every three years, the department will conduct a reassessment of the eligible fields of employment under the program. The amount of a loan reimbursement award for an eligible applicant will be determined by a sliding scale based on income, as follows: (1) up to $6,000 in loan reimbursement per year for an eligible applicant with an income that is less than or equal to 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; (2) up to $4,000 in loan reimbursement per year for an eligible applicant with an income that is greater than 300 percent but less than or equal to 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; and (3) up to $2,000 in loan reimbursement per year for an eligible applicant with an income that is greater than 400 percent but less than or equal to 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The bill caps total State expenditures for student loan reimbursement awards under the program at $10 million per year. As a condition of continued participation in the program for a maximum period of three years, a program participant must maintain residency in the State and remain current with payments on student loans. Participants also must submit documentation each year to HESAA verifying their employment and income. The bill requires HESAA to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature three years after the establishment of the "Succeed in New Jersey" program and every three years thereafter. The report will include information on the total number of participants receiving loan reimbursement under the program; the number of participants employed in each of the eligible fields under the program; and the total amount of loan reimbursement awards issued under the program each year. | In Committee |
AJR49 | Recognizes 75th anniversary of establishment of State of Israel. | April 25, 2023 marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. New Jersey commends the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East and reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between New Jersey and Israel for more than seven decades. New Jersey recommits to working with Israel in its quest for peace with its neighbors and the countries in the region. | Dead |
A2934 | Upgrades penalty for assault committed at certain unpermitted mass gatherings. | This bill addresses assaults and injuries incurred at social media initiated mass gatherings at public places including, but not limited to, public beaches, such as the recent violent events that occurred at Pier Village in Long Branch, New Jersey. The bill provides that a person commits assault if the person causes bodily injury to another during the course of an unpermitted mass gathering on a public beach. The crime is a disorderly persons offense, ordinarily punishable by up to six month imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. However, the bill provides that the court may impose a fine up to $10,000. Under the bill, "unpermitted mass gathering on a public beach" means (1) an event or occasion occurring on a public beach, organized by an identifiable source, unrestricted as to the number of attendees, and notice for which was advertised on public media including, but not limited to, social media platforms or websites; (2) a permit for which to assemble has not been obtained from the municipality in which the event or occasion is held; and (3) the number of people attending or likely to attend is sufficient to strain the planning and response resources of the community or municipality in which the event or occasion is held, a determination which, once assessed by the municipality, has been declared through a public address or other emergency notification system. It is the sponsor's view that the unprecedented opportunity created by social media outlets to spread notice of an unregulated and unplanned event involving the gathering of persons at a shore community creates risks of violence and damage for which communities cannot always adequately prepare. An individual who commits an assault at such an event, having received notice that an unpermitted mass gathering has been declared, should be held to a higher standard than one who had no knowledge that the event was unregulated. | In Committee |
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: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3007 | Increases maximum age for pediatric long-term care facility residents to 26. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3035 | Prohibits certain vehicles from parking in electric vehicle charging spaces under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A1675 | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A2998 | Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A551 | Permits certain consumers up to five business days to cancel home improvement contracts and up to three days to cancel certain consumer goods contracts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
AJR128 | Designates August of each year as "American Artist Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3742 | Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S2783 | "Travel Insurance Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S2788 | Appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3802 | Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3974 | Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3979 | Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A3973 | Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4085 | Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3052 | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3041 | Prohibits cooperative from receiving public works contract when cooperative-approved vendor fails to pay prevailing wage; concerns cooperative purchasing agreements with other states; and permits contracting units to award certain indefinite contracts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4182 | Concerns conditions of employment of certain cannabis workers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3132 | Imposes certain requirements on secondhand dealers of cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4215 | Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations concerning small modular nuclear reactors; authorizes EDA to incentivize construction and operation of such reactors. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4248 | Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4295 | Establishes New Jersey-India Commission. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4302 | Amends current child labor laws to protect minor working as vlogger in certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4429 | Expands prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4455 | Allows exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from sale or exchange of qualified small business stock. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4479 | Requires social media platforms to cooperate with nonprofit organization initiatives to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4521 | Concerns provision of services to defendants on pretrial release. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4544 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3418 | Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4577 | Requires State departments and Office of Technology to provide reports on proposed technology upgrades. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4636 | Requires that notice concerning gift card fraud be posted by retail mercantile establishments that sell gift cards to consumers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4643 | Creates penalty for child endangerment via use of social media. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4651 | Establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4714 | Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4765 | Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances; requires driver's manual to include information on sharing roadway with motorists for certain road users. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4818 | Reduces and clarifies requirements for municipal tourist development commission disbursements for advertising. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3618 | Directs DEP and DOT to establish "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3663 | Establishes reproductive health travel advisory. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3773 | Concerns requirements to report separations from employment under employee leasing agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5000 | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5004 | Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5077 | Extends statutory pause on collection of student growth objective data. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3944 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5146 | Removes exception to civil service working test period for political subdivision employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S3992 | Modifies capital reserve funding requirements for certain planned real estate developments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5213 | Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5195 | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5260 | Prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5277 | Establishes public awareness campaign and call center for certain property tax relief programs; requires submission of annual report by Stay NJ Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5278 | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
SJR154 | Directs BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s Reliability Pricing Model; directs State to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to implement certain reforms. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5362 | Prohibits casino licensees from using non-wagering casino games to solicit future gaming. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5383 | Requires unrestricted Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5420 | Permits 30-calendar day extension to cure period for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5421 | Requires development of online tax training for small and micro-businesses. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5422 | Allows businesses to receive information via email concerning new regulations and economic incentives that affect business. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S4263 | Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
AR180 | Urges DEP, Pinelands Commission, and Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to engage in alternative forest management practices during periods of drought when prescribed burning is unsafe. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5447 | Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5462 | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5517 | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5533 | Establishes requirements for receipt and purchase of scrap metals containing lithium-ion or propulsion batteries. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NJ | District 36 | House | Democrat | In Office | 01/10/2006 |