Legislator
Legislator > Gordon Johnson
State Senator
Gordon Johnson
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Senate District 37
In Office - Started: 01/11/2022
contact info
Englewood Office
96 Engle St.
Englewood, NJ 07631
Englewood, NJ 07631
Phone: 201-308-7060
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1054 | 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. | 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. | In Committee |
| S1034 | 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. | In Committee |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Passed |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Passed |
| 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 |
| A3323 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | This bill amends the definition of compensation for purposes of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to include additional pay for performing extracurricular duties beyond the regular school day or the regular school year. This additional pay is currently not included in the definition of compensation for pension purposes. Extracurricular duties include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities. | Passed |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Passed |
| S2346 | Creates Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals during certain hot weather and air quality events; appropriates $5 million. | Creates Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals during certain hot weather and air quality events; appropriates $5 million. | Crossed Over |
| S2951 | Authorizes provision of monetary awards to whistleblowers who report State tax law violations committed by employers in construction industry. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury to provide monetary awards to whistleblowers who report tax law violations committed by employers in the construction industry. The bill defines "employer in the construction industry" as an employer engaging in any activity related to the erection, construction, alteration, demolition, repair or maintenance of buildings, structures, bridges, highways, roadways, dams, tunnels, sewers, underground buildings or structures, pipelines or ducts and all other construction projects or facilities. Under the bill, if the director proceeds with an administrative or judicial action against an employer in the construction industry and determines that the action is based on specific and credible information brought to the director by an individual, the director is required to provide that individual an award of at least 15 percent, but not more than 30 percent, of the proceeds collected as a result of the action or from any settlement in response to that action; provided, however, if the director determines an action is based principally on an individual's disclosure of an allegation resulting from a judicial or administrative hearing, from a governmental report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, any award provided by the director to that individual may not exceed 10 percent of the proceeds. The bill requires the director to determine the amount of an award based upon the extent to which any information submitted by an individual contributed to the outcome of an action or related settlement. If the director determines that the claim for an award pursuant to the bill is brought by an individual who planned and initiated the actions that led to the violation resulting in the administrative or judicial action in which that individual is a party, the bill permits the director to reduce the amount of the award. In addition, if such an individual is convicted of criminal conduct arising from the individual's role in the violation, then the director is not permitted to provide an award to that individual. The following individuals are also ineligible to receive an award under the bill: (1) an individual who obtained information through the individual's official duties as an employee of the Department of the Treasury; and (2) an individual who filed a claim for an award based on information obtained from an ineligible individual for the purpose of avoiding the rejection of the claim that would have resulted if the claim was filed by the ineligible individual. The bill provides that any complaint with respect to an award provided, reduced, or revoked pursuant to the bill is to be filed within 30 days after the date of the provision, reduction, or revocation of that award. Finally, the bill protects any employee, as defined by the bill, from retaliatory action under the provisions of the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act," P.L.1986, c.105 (C.34:19-1 et seq.). | Crossed Over |
| S3052 | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Passed |
| 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. | 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. | Passed |
| S3504 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | In Committee |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Passed |
| S3713 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | This bill amends the definition of compensation for purposes of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to include additional pay for performing extracurricular duties beyond the regular school day or the regular school year. This additional pay is currently not included in the definition of compensation for pension purposes. Extracurricular duties include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities. | In Committee |
| S3877 | Requires cancellation option for any subscription service and establishes certain standards pertaining to use of negative option features. | Requires cancellation option for any subscription service and establishes certain standards pertaining to use of negative option features. | In Committee |
| S3944 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Passed |
| S4376 | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Passed |
| S4400 | Extends hours that minor employed by national sports association, league, or team may work under certain circumstances. | This bill amends child labor laws to provide that a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age may be employed as a professional athlete by a national sports association, league, or team following 11:30 p.m. of any day in the event that employment is a continuation of a workday which begins before 11:30 p.m. but ends later due to return travel or due to a match or game time delay, with a special written permit from the minor's parents or legal guardian. Under current law, a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age may be employed as a professional athlete by a national sports association, league or team until 11:30 p.m. of any day. | Crossed Over |
| S4657 | Modifies reimbursement for certain premium charges under School Employees' Health Benefits Program. | This bill modifies reimbursements paid under the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) for premium charges under Part B and Part D of the federal Medicare program. Medicare Part B is part of Traditional Medicare, which provides hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B), or coverage for outpatient medical services, to beneficiaries. Medicare Part D adds optional prescription drug benefits coverage to Traditional Medicare. The bill eliminates reimbursements for income-related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAA), or income-based surcharges, assessed to federal Medicare beneficiaries beyond Medicare Part B and Part D premiums whose reported income meets certain criteria. By law, the State pays all or a portion of reimbursement costs for Medicare premiums for qualified retirees who receive healthcare coverage in retirement from the SEHBP. The Governor's Fiscal Year 2026 budget recommendations include enactment of legislation to eliminate income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) reimbursements for premium charges under Part B and Part D of the federal Medicare program under the SEHBP. The Department of the Treasury estimates that this bill will increase revenue for Fiscal Year 2026 by $35 million. | Dead |
| S756 | "Swift Access For Emergency Response Actions Preservation Program (SAFER APP)"; authorizes Attorney General to order turn-by-turn navigation systems to reroute vehicular traffic under certain conditions. | "Swift Access For Emergency Response Actions Preservation Program (SAFER APP)"; authorizes Attorney General to order turn-by-turn navigation systems to reroute vehicular traffic under certain conditions. | In Committee |
| SJR30 | Designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day." | This joint resolution designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day." According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 260 million widows around the world, and nearly one in ten live in extreme poverty. In the United States, one million women become widowed each year. Seventy percent of all married women will be widowed in their lifetime. Many widows are far younger than one may guess, as the median age of a widow is 59, according to the United States Census Bureau. Widows are often unsupported by our country's social services, programs, and policies. Many widows face challenges even years after the loss of a loved one, including financial and legal difficulties, mental and physical health issues, and the loss of health insurance. It is important to draw attention to the experiences and realities of widows, including the need for increased bereavement leave, changes to Social Security regulations regarding widows, and the plight of widows in other countries. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4039 | Exempts nonresident military spouses from "New Jersey First Act." | The "New Jersey First Act" requires most public employees in New Jersey to be residents of the State. This bill exempts nonresident military spouses from the residency requirement. This bill defines "nonresident military spouse" as a nonresident of this State who is the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been transferred to this State in the course of the member's service, is legally domiciled in this State, or has moved to this State on a permanent change-of-station basis. | In Committee |
| S3401 | Establishes eligibility requirements for State small business set-aside program. | This bill establishes requirements for eligibility when the State implements a small business set-aside program. The State currently has a small business set-aside program. This bill clarifies that only businesses without an applicable federal revenue standard established by federal regulations are required to have a certain maximum number of employees. This bill also alters the definitions of gross revenue from a standard of three years in business to a standard of five years in business. The requirements established in this bill will be in addition to any and all rules or regulations, except that these requirements will supersede the rules and regulations adopted as N.J.A.C. 17:13-2.1(a). | In Committee |
| S4392 | Revises film and digital media content production tax credit program to include requirement for production of domestic original music and musical scores. | The bill revises the Garden State Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for expenses incurred for the production of certain films and digital media content. Specifically, the bill revises the tax credit program to include an additional criterion for certain film and digital media content expenses to be considered eligible for the tax credit. The bill adds a requirement to the tax credit program for taxpayers that produce films and digital media content that include original music or original musical scores. The bill requires all original music and original musical scores developed for the production of film or digital media content to be produced and recorded domestically in the United States or any of its territories. | In Committee |
| S1312 | Requires State Real Estate Appraiser Board to adopt alternative program to acquire experiential requirements for prospective real estate appraisers attempting to qualify for licensure or certification. | This bill requires the State Real Estate Appraiser Board to adopt an alternative program to acquire experiential requirements for prospective real estate appraisers attempting to qualify for licensure or certification. Under the bill, the board will be required to adopt the Appraisal Qualification Board's practical application of real estate appraisal (PAREA) program as an alternative means of acquiring experiential requirements for a prospective real estate appraiser looking to become a licensed or certified appraiser. Presently, a prospective real estate appraiser must locate a licensed or certified appraiser who is willing to supervise the prospective appraiser as they attain their experiential requirement. The process to find a supervisor is difficult, with no formal process to help aspiring appraisers find a supervisor that can oversee them. Under PAREA, prospective real estate appraisers can fulfill up to 100% of their experience requirements virtually by creating real-world simulations that combine appraisal theory and methodology. PAREA also provides prospective real estate appraisers with mentors to supervise them. | In Committee |
| A4535 | Concerns State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally; appropriates $100,000. | An Act concerning State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally, amending and supplementing P.L.1979, c.496, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3249 | Establishes additional manner of employer compliance to provide earned sick leave for certain employees subject to collective bargaining agreements. | Establishes additional manner of employer compliance to provide earned sick leave for certain employees subject to collective bargaining agreements. | In Committee |
| S2527 | Subjects certain rooming and boarding houses to municipal land use regulations; requires owners and operators of cooperative sober living residences to submit certain approvals with license applications. | Subjects certain rooming and boarding houses to municipal land use regulations; requires owners and operators of cooperative sober living residences to submit certain approvals with license applications. | In Committee |
| SJR151 | Designates July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey. On January 6, 2021, Officer Brian Sicknick was called upon to protect the United States Capitol. Officer Sicknick, who had served with the United States Capitol Police for more than 12 years, lost his life in the line of duty as a direct result of courageously defending Congress and the Capitol. Officer Sicknick was born on July 30, 1978 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His life can best be described as dedicated to public service. Officer Sicknick joined the United States Capitol Police in July of 2008 and on his most recent assignment he served on the First Responders Unit. During his career, Officer Sicknick became a member of the mountain bike unit. His duties included patrolling the grounds and protecting those he was sworn to serve, as well as the public at large that visited the Capitol on a daily basis. It is altogether fitting and proper to designate July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey to recognize Officer Brian Sicknick who lost his life protecting the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. | In Committee |
| S2013 | Makes local government business administrators eligible for membership in PERS; provides for transfer from Defined Contribution Retirement Program to PERS. | This bill makes business administrators serving in local governments eligible for membership in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Business administrators currently participate in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP). The bill defines "business administrator" as the executive and administrative officer of any political subdivision of the State or any agency, board, commission, authority, or instrumentality of the State or of a subdivision serving in a position with the title of business administrator, municipal or county administrator, municipal or county manager, city manager, town manager, village manager, borough manager, township manager, or any functional equivalent, as the case may be. The bill provides for the transfer to the PERS of a business administrator who is participating in the DCRP within 90 days following the effective date of the bill if the employee meets the eligibility requirements for membership in the PERS at the time of enrollment. The bill requires the PERS notify eligible business administrators of the required enrollment within 15 days after the effective date. The bill specifies that service credit transferred from a participant in the DCRP would be recognized as service credit in the PERS to determine eligibility for employer-paid health care benefits in retirement pursuant to current law. The bill also specifies that the membership tier will be determined by the member's participation date in the DCRP or their original enrollment date in the PERS, if applicable, whichever is earlier. Additionally, the actuary for the PERS is required to determine the unfunded accrued liability resulting from the transfer of the business administrators. This unfunded accrued liability will be amortized over a period of 20 years. The value of the account in the DCRP of the business administrator will be transferred to the PERS in accordance with relevant provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Service guidance. The bill will take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| S1406 | Prohibits surgical declawing of cats and other animals. | This bill prohibits a person from performing, or causing to be performed, an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure by any means on a cat or other animal, unless the procedure is deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian. Any person who violates this provision would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, a term of imprisonment of up to six months, or both. A violator would also be subject to a civil penalty of between $500 and $2,000. Under the bill, whenever a licensed veterinarian determines that an onychectomy or flexor tendonectomy is necessary for a therapeutic purpose, the veterinarian would be required to file a written statement with the Department of Health, and provide a copy of that statement to the owner of the animal. A veterinarian who fails to comply with this provision would be subject to disciplinary action by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. For purposes of the bill, the term "therapeutic purpose" means for purpose of necessity to address the medical condition of the animal, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in a claw that compromises the animal's health. "Therapeutic purpose" would not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the animal. | In Committee |
| S4422 | Requires automatic issuance of credential to provide services in carrier provider network for physicians in good standing in New Jersey. | This bill requires approval of an application submitted for credentialing so a physician can participate in a carrier's provider network if the application demonstrates that the license of the physician issued by the State Board of Medical Examiners in New Jersey is in good standing. This also includes applications for the renewal of a credential. This is intended to streamline the credentialing process for physicians licensed in the State. | In Committee |
| S4404 | Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, or accidental disability pension retirement benefits for certain members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al.), signed into law on June 28, 2011, had suspended the automatic annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of PFRS and other State-administered retirement systems until those systems reach a target funded ratio. Decades of underfunding those systems by the State had placed the systems in precarious financial conditions. Although this bill does not reinstate COLAs for other retirees, it serves as the first step in reinstating COLAs for all retirees of the State-administered retirement systems. Through the prioritization of PFRS, the State will begin this process with retired first responders, police and firefighters, to provide them greater financial security and stability at a time when inflation has significantly eroded the value of their retirement benefit payments, which are already based on the lower salaries of years ago. To that end, the bill includes restrictions intended to limit costs and focus on segments among PFRS retirees expected to be most in need of an immediate benefit. Under the bill, members of PFRS will receive automatic COLAs for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, and accidental disability pension benefits if the member has been retired and receiving retirement benefits for a minimum of ten years. Longer-term retirees generally will have lower pension benefits and be less able to obtain employment to offset the erosion of their benefits. Members of PFRS who are hired more than 30 days following the effective date of this act will not be considered eligible to receive these automatic COLAs. Additionally, members who are enrolled in deferred retirement will not be considered eligible for these automatic COLAs, nor will members who retired with 20 or more years of service but less than 25 years of service. The COLAs will only apply to future pension benefit payments. The bill does not provide for retroactive COLAs. The adjustment in eligible members' pension benefits will be calculated based on an amount up to $75,000 of a retiree's benefit for the first year following the enactment of this bill. Eligible members receiving up to $75,000 of pension benefits will receive a COLA tied to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This will ensure that greater initial benefits will be provided to those likely to be most in need. The adjustment in eligible member's pension benefits will be limited to one percent if the member receives more than $75,000 in benefits for the first year following the enactment of the bill. After the first calendar year following the enactment of the bill, the $75,000 threshold will be adjusted annually according to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, except that the adjustment will be calculated at a rate not to exceed three percent. The bill also grants the cost-of-living adjustment to the monthly pension or survivorship benefit of a surviving spouse, child, or beneficiary that is provided by PFRS. Under the bill, if the Board of Trustees of PFRS fails to comply with the provisions of this bill within six months following the effective date, then the State Treasurer will be responsible for implementing the cost-of-living adjustments. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate monies from the General Fund as necessary to effectuate the cost-of-living adjustments established under the bill that are sufficient to cover both State and local expenses, and to reimburse each PFRS local employer for the full cost incurred. The bill further provides that this appropriation will take precedence over any additional funding added to the annual State budget by the Legislature through non-emergency supplemental appropriations, resolutions or other changes to the Governor's budget message. | In Committee |
| SR127 | Urges State citizens to stay up-to-date on vaccinations. | This resolution urges the citizens of the State of New Jersey to become vaccinated. Once declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, measles has once again resurfaced in the country. In 2024, there were a total of 285 reported cases of measles in the United States. For 2025, the number of reported cases has reached 222 in the first three months alone and new cases continue to be reported every day. New Jersey has had three reported cases in 2025. Declining vaccination rates across the country and in New Jersey have played a role in these outbreaks. Ninety-four percent of the cases reported in 2025 were among children and adults who were not vaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) declared that only 93 percent of kindergarteners had received their measles vaccination, falling two percent below the threshold needed for community immunity to prevent widespread transmission of the disease. The rate of New Jersey kindergarteners meeting all vaccination requirements has decreased by 3.6 percent from the 2013-2014 school year to the 2023-2024 school year and the percentage of first-graders in New Jersey meeting all vaccination requirements experienced the biggest decrease within the same time period, falling by 7.5 percent. | In Committee |
| S3538 | Establishes "Equitable Drug Pricing and Patient Access Act." | This bill establishes the "Equitable Drug Pricing and Patient Accesses Act." The bill provides that the reimbursement rate for prescription drug services paid to a pharmacy providing prescription drug services to a beneficiary of the Medicaid program, whether such services are provided in the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system or through the Medicaid managed care delivery system, will be no less than the national average drug acquisition cost of the drug plus a Medicaid fee-for-service professional dispensing fee of $10.92. The bill provides that each Medicaid managed care contract executed in this State will include pharmacy choice as a required benefit for any enrollee as outlined under the bill. To ensure that enrollees have access to a competitive selection of providers, each Medicaid managed care organization will permit the enrollee to choose any qualified pharmacy provided that the qualified pharmacy is a contracting provider and provide that no pharmacy will be denied the right to participate as a contracting provider, under the same terms and conditions currently applicable to all other contracting pharmacies, provided that the pharmacy accepts the terms and conditions of the Medicaid managed care contract. The bill requires the State Auditor to perform an audit of pharmacy pricing practices within the Medicaid program to determine the amount of savings the State should accrue from all pharmacies as a result of the provisions of the bill. In conducting this audit, the State Auditor will audit the flow of funds in the State's Medicaid program from managed care organizations to pharmacy benefit managers to pharmacies. In recent years, drug pricing has escalated at unprecedented rates. Restrictive practices that segregate certain drug types and disadvantage patients' choice and access are contributing factors, particularly in Medicaid programs. According to evaluation data found in the Governor's Budget Recommendations, total Medicaid prescription drug spending increased by approximately $700 million, or 3.3 percent, from $2.1 billion in FY 2019 to $2.8 billion in FY 2024. It is the sponsor's belief that ensuring that Medicaid establishes the Equitable Drug Pricing and Patient Access Act will provide greater transparency and cost management within the program to reduce waste and cost increases. | In Committee |
| S664 | Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research to $10 million; establishes dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund. | This bill increases the amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) to $10 million. The bill also establishes a dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund within the Department of the Treasury. In doing so, the bill prioritizes funding: 1) to expand the NJCCR's capacity to fund research regarding the causes, prevention, treatment, and palliation of all cancers and to serve as a resource of information to providers and consumers of cancer care and treatment services; and 2) for cancer research grants that reduce and eliminate disparities among the various racial and ethnic populations within the State's minority and vulnerable communities by increasing access to clinical trials and high-quality cancer care and treatment. Pursuant to current statute, the NJCCR annually receives $1 million in cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues. This money is deposited into an existing lapsing Cancer Research Fund and then appropriated to the commission. In recent years, pursuant to the annual appropriations act, this money has been transferred from the Cancer Research Fund to the General Fund. The appropriations act then provides the NJCCR funding via a budget line. Despite the statutory requirement, in FY 2022, the NJCCR was appropriated $4 million in funding. Under the bill, the existing lapsing Cancer Research Fund is replaced by a non-lapsing, revolving fund. This fund is to be the repository of the $10 million in cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues deposited into the account under the bill and any other funds approved by the Department of Health or the NJCCR. Moneys deposited in the fund, and any interest earned thereon, are to be used exclusively for providing grants for cancer research projects authorized and approved by the commission, with at least $5 million to be used to fund general cancer research and at least $5 million to be used to fund pediatric cancer research. The State Treasurer will be the custodian of the fund and all disbursements from the fund are to be made by the State Treasurer upon vouchers signed by the chairperson of the NJCCR or the chairperson's designee. The monies in the fund are to be invested and reinvested by the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury in the same manner as other trust funds in the custody of the State Treasurer, in the manner provided by law. Interest received on the monies in the fund are to be credited to the fund. | In Committee |
| S4328 | Requires NJT to establish contactless payment system to rail passenger service. | This bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (corporation) to establish, within 18 months of the bill's effective date, a contactless payment system for rail passenger service, including light-rail service, within the State. The contactless payment system is required to include, at a minimum, a process for customers to: (1) purchase one-way tickets for rail passenger service, including light-rail service, by tapping a credit or debit card or other contactless payment method at designated areas before entering the train platform and when exiting the train platform; (2) load a digital corporation card with money that can be used to purchase tickets for rail passenger service, including light-rail service, and to upload the digital corporation card onto a mobile wallet application; (3) utilize one-way tickets purchased by tapping a credit or debit card or other contactless payment method at designated areas and digital corporation cards uploaded to mobile wallet applications to enter a train platform without a pre-purchased physical ticket; and (4) purchase a reusable or one-time use physical card that can be loaded with money and used to purchase tickets for rail passenger service, including light-rail service, which card can be used by tapping the card at designated areas before entering the train platform and when exiting the train platform. The corporation may charge a reasonable fee to any customer purchasing a reusable or one-time use physical card and the amount of the fee is to be determined by the corporation. The bill requires the fee to be waived for reusable or one-time use physical cards purchased by a person with disabilities or by a senior citizen. In developing the contactless payment system, the corporation is required to: (1) consider the impact of the contactless payment system on corporation employees, and if any employees are deemed to no longer be required in their current employment positions due to the corporation's transition to the contactless payment system, the corporation is required to make an effort to find alternative employment for the displaced employees at train stations or on trains within the State; and (2) study contactless payment systems that have been implemented in other states for rail passenger service. | In Committee |
| S4310 | Provides police training course credit to prior military law enforcement officer seeking employment as law enforcement officer in NJ. | This bill requires prior military law enforcement officers seeking employment as a law enforcement officer in this State to receive credit for exemption from certain police training course requirements, provided that the officer's separation from the Armed Forces or a Reserve component thereof was under honorable conditions. Under current law and practice, the Police Training Commission can exempt from the requirements of a police training course any person who demonstrates to the commission's satisfaction that the person has successfully completed a police training course conducted by any Federal, State, or other public or private agency, provided that the requirements of the course are substantially equivalent to the requirements of the law and has been completed in the preceding three years. This bill requires applicable exemptions to apply to any person who served as a military law enforcement officer and is seeking employment as a law enforcement officer in this State. These individuals must be granted credits, as determined by the Police Training Commission, for exemption from each part of the basic training course that is substantially similar to a police training course completed by the military law enforcement officer, provided that the officer's separation from the Armed Forces, or a Reserve component thereof, was under honorable conditions. The bill does not permit an individual to receive an exemption from the entirety of the police training course. | In Committee |
| S3059 | Makes use of front registration plate optional for certain vehicles. | This bill permits operators of passenger automobiles and motorcycles registered in the State to display only one rear license plate. The bill specifies that any person who was issued two license plates prior to the effective date of the bill may return one of those plates to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission free of charge. Additionally, individuals may request the issuance of only one registration plate instead of two. | In Committee |
| S4311 | Makes various changes to regulation of health care service firms. | This bill makes various changes to the regulation of health care service firms. The bill: 1) raises the compensation threshold that would trigger an audit for health care service firms from $250,000 to $5,000,000; 2) requires the health care service firms to submit the audit no later than September 30th of the calendar year in which it is due; 3) revises the compensation threshold for reporting requirements for health care service firms from between $1 million and $10 million, to less than $10 million; 4) revises the information that is to be contained in the health care service firm's report; and 5) provides for corrective action in certain cases. | In Committee |
| S3199 | Establishes New Jersey-Haiti Commission. | An Act establishing the New Jersey-Haiti Commission and supplementing chapter 18A of Title 52. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR211 | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2813 | Enters NJ in Social Work Licensure Compact. | An Act concerning the Social Work Licensure Compact and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| A5067 | Requires appointment of alternate members of Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission. | An Act concerning the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission and amending P.L.2009, c.132. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR217 | Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey. Paul Leroy Robeson was born on April 9, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey. As a gifted debater, scholar, linguist, athlete, actor, singer, author, and political activist, Robeson was the quintessential 20th-century renaissance man. Robeson attended Rutgers University on a four-year scholarship, becoming the third African-American student to attend the institution. As a standout student and athlete, Robeson earned his place as class valedictorian and a spot on the All-American football team. Robeson would later attend Columbia University Law School, continuing his success as a professional football player while pursuing a legal education. However, racial tensions and discrimination greatly limited his career as a lawyer, and he instead rose to fame as a widely acclaimed actor and singer in the late 1920s and 1930s. As Robeson's popularity grew, he broke barriers as one of the first African-American men to play significant roles in the predominantly white American theater. Robeson strongly believed in the responsibility of influential figures to advocate for justice and peace. This sense of responsibility led Robeson to advocate for the rights of African-Americans, workers, and colonized peoples around the world. Unfortunately, his political activism led to his blacklisting and the revocation of his passport, significantly hindering his career and obscuring his accomplishments and role in the history of civil rights. Despite these hardships and his death in 1976, Robeson remains a source of inspiration, and his remarkable life and legacy should be remembered and celebrated by the State of New Jersey. Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SJR149 | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | In Committee |
| S3918 | Requires appointment of alternate members of Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission. | Requires appointment of alternate members of Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission. | In Committee |
| S3799 | Revises credentialing process for physicians attempting to enter a health insurance carrier's provider network. | This bill makes changes to the existing health insurance carrier credentialing process to facilitate transparency and enforcement. First, the bill requires a carrier committee reviewing a credentialing application to notify the applicant within 30 days following submission of the application whether the application is incomplete. If the committee does not notify the applicant of an incomplete application within 30 days, the application is to be deemed complete. In addition, the bill requires carriers to include on their Internet websites the universal participation and renewal forms and an explanation of the credentialing process, including a list of all the documents required for participation and renewal and any expected timelines. The bill also provides that if a physician, while waiting to receive a credential to participate in the provider network of a carrier, is delivering health care services to covered persons within the network, the carrier is required to reimburse the physician for services delivered as of the date the credentialing application was filed, if the application is approved by the carrier. Under the bill, carriers are prohibited from requiring a physician who is already credentialed with the carrier and who changes employers or health care facilities within this State to submit a new application or renewal form to participate in the carrier's network solely on the basis that the physician changed employers or health care facilities. Lastly, the bill authorizes the Department of Banking and Insurance to receive, investigate, and enforce alleged violations of law relating to the credentialing process. | In Committee |
| S3098 | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | In Committee |
| S2947 | Prohibits acceptance, offer, or provision of monetary or non-monetary compensation of mail-in ballot messengers or bearers; allows certain facility employees and volunteers to serve as messengers or bearers. | Prohibits acceptance, offer, or provision of monetary or non-monetary compensation of mail-in ballot messengers or bearers; allows certain facility employees and volunteers to serve as messengers or bearers. | Crossed Over |
| S2688 | Enters NJ in Social Work Licensure Compact. | This bill will enter New Jersey into the Social Work Licensure Compact. The compact establishes a multistate license system in which an individual licensed at the clinical, master's or bachelor's level in social work needs only to obtain licensure in one state that is a party to the compact in order to practice as a social worker in another member state to the compact, so long as certain requirements established under the compact are met by the individual. Under the bill, provisions are established regarding, among other items, the authority of a member state's licensing authority; how an adverse action against a multistate licensee is managed; the set-up of the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission and its Executive Committee; the collection of data on member states; and how to withdraw from the compact, if sought by a member state. | In Committee |
| S2952 | Concerns State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally; appropriates $100,000. | Concerns State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally; appropriates $100,000. | In Committee |
| S1192 | Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy. | Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy. | In Committee |
| SJR46 | Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey. Paul Leroy Robeson was born on April 9, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey. As a gifted debater, scholar, linguist, athlete, actor, singer, author, and political activist, Robeson was the quintessential 20th-century renaissance man. Robeson attended Rutgers University on a four-year scholarship, becoming the third African-American student to attend the institution. As a standout student and athlete, Robeson earned his place as class valedictorian and a spot on the All-American football team. Robeson would later attend Columbia University Law School, continuing his success as a professional football player while pursuing a legal education. However, racial tensions and discrimination greatly limited his career as a lawyer, and he instead rose to fame as a widely acclaimed actor and singer in the late 1920s and 1930s. As Robeson's popularity grew, he broke barriers as one of the first African-American men to play significant roles in the predominantly white American theater. Robeson strongly believed in the responsibility of influential figures to advocate for justice and peace. This sense of responsibility led Robeson to advocate for the rights of African-Americans, workers, and colonized peoples around the world. Unfortunately, his political activism led to his blacklisting and the revocation of his passport, significantly hindering his career and obscuring his accomplishments and role in the history of civil rights. Despite these hardships and his death in 1976, Robeson remains a source of inspiration, and his remarkable life and legacy should be remembered and celebrated by the State of New Jersey. | Crossed Over |
| S3118 | Provides that regional school districts are not subject to State school aid reductions under certain circumstances. | Provides that regional school districts are not subject to State school aid reductions under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| SCR124 | Condemns President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. from Paris Climate Accord. | This resolution condemns President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord, and urges him to rejoin it. | In Committee |
| S1445 | Requires public institution of higher education to readmit student whose enrollment was interrupted due to military service. | An Act concerning military service members at public institutions of higher education and supplementing chapter 62 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S788 | Exempts certain volunteer first responders from coverage under "unemployment compensation law"; excludes from gross income amounts received for certain volunteer emergency services. | This bill exempts from coverage under the "unemployment compensation," R.S.43:21-1 et seq., any services provided by a volunteer first responder who receives a stipend, including any clothing allowance, for the volunteer's services. The exempted first responder would not be subject to unemployment insurance (UI) taxes and not be eligible for UI benefits. The exclusion would also exclude the first responder's stipend from contributions to the temporary disability and family temporary disability benefits funds, and it would exclude the first responder from being eligible to receive those benefits for the volunteer first responder services. Under the bill, "volunteer first responder" means a volunteer firefighter, volunteer member of a duly incorporated first aid, emergency, ambulance, or rescue squad association, or any other individual who, in the course of volunteer services, is dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle accident or other emergency situation for the purpose of providing medical care or other assistance. Additionally, the bill excludes from gross income the amounts received through stipends, including any clothing allowance, provided by a municipality for services performed by a volunteer first responder. Recently, municipalities have found it more difficult to recruit volunteers to serve as emergency services personnel. In response, many have begun providing stipends to help alleviate staffing shortages. Although they provide a greater incentive to volunteer, the amounts received through these stipends are subject to State and federal income tax. By exempting these stipends from calculation of a taxpayer's gross income under State law, the State can further assist municipalities in their efforts to provide proper emergency services to their residents. | In Committee |
| S364 | Adds fusion to types of Class I renewable energies as defined for purposes of "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act." | Adds fusion to types of Class I renewable energies as defined for purposes of "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act." | Crossed Over |
| S1560 | Requires Department of Agriculture to establish Farm Vitality Planning Reimbursement Grant Program. | Requires Department of Agriculture to establish Farm Vitality Planning Reimbursement Grant Program. | In Committee |
| S780 | Renames, extends eligibility, and makes various other changes to Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program. | Renames, extends eligibility, and makes various other changes to Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program. | In Committee |
| S1610 | Requires outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by, or on behalf of State, or at projects receiving State funds, to meet certain criteria. | Requires outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by, or on behalf of State, or at projects receiving State funds, to meet certain criteria. | In Committee |
| S3970 | Establishes "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" in EDA. | Establishes "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" in EDA. | In Committee |
| S3558 | Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for the treatment of stuttering. | This bill requires health insurers (health, hospital and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program) and the State Medicaid program to provide coverage for medical expenses incurred in the treatment of stuttering, including habilitative speech therapy and rehabilitative speech therapy. Whether treatment is a medical necessity is to be determined by the covered person's medical doctor. The bill requires coverage to be provided whether the services are delivered in-person or through telemedicine or telehealth, without the imposition of any prior authorization or other utilization management requirements, and without cost-sharing. Pursuant to the bill, "habilitative speech therapy" means speech therapy that helps a person keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living; and "rehabilitative speech therapy" means speech therapy that helps a person restore or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired. | In Committee |
| S4108 | Requires appointment of State Dementia Services Coordinator; appropriates $150,000. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to appoint a State Dementia Services Coordinator. The State coordinator is to be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the position. The duties of the State coordinator is to include: 1) developing and coordinating the implementation of a master plan to address the impact of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia; 2) coordinating with existing State programs, services, facilities, and agencies that provide services and other assistance to persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia; 3) developing procedures to facilitate communication, collaboration, coordination, and information sharing between, and prevent the duplication of dementia care services provided by, State departments, offices, divisions, agencies, and community-based organizations; 4) identifying service gaps in the provision of appropriate dementia care services and other assistance by State departments, offices, divisions, agencies, and community-based organizations; and 5) increasing awareness of, and facilitating access to quality, coordinated treatment and dementia care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia. The appointed State Dementia Services Coordinator: is authorized to call upon any department, office, division, or agency of the State to supply the coordinator with data and any other information necessary to discharge the coordinator's duties; and may consult with experts or other knowledgeable individuals in the public or private sector on any aspect of the coordinator's mission. The provisions of the bill also require each department, office, division, or agency to cooperate fully with, and provide assistance to, the coordinator to perform the coordinator's duties. The bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4571 | Makes various changes to powers and duties of NJ Infrastructure Bank. | An Act concerning the authority of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and amending P.L.1985, c.334, P.L.2013, c.93, and P.L.2023, c.63. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3936 | Appropriates $60 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for recreation and conservation purposes to DEP for State capital and park development projects. | An Act appropriating $60 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues for the development of lands by the State for recreation and conservation purposes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S720 | Requires DCPP to consult with Division of Developmental Disabilities following finding of child abuse or neglect to create services plan for person with developmental disability under certain circumstances. | An Act concerning the Division of Child Protection and Permanency and amending P.L.1974, c.119. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2506 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | This bill requires the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to give priority consideration to municipalities that are in compliance with their affordable housing obligations in awarding grants or other financial assistance through the Main Street New Jersey Program, Neighborhood Preservation Program, or any other program administered by the DCA or the EDA through which monies are provided to a municipality via a competitive process. The bill's provisions would not apply to grants or financial assistance intended to help a municipality fulfill its affordable housing obligation. For the purposes of the bill, the Department of Community Affairs would consider, at a minimum, the following in determining a municipality's compliance in the first five years after a new round of affordable housing obligations begin: prior round builder's remedy lawsuits, prior round fair share settlements, the percentage of fulfilled obligation, and any other factor deemed relevant by the department. | In Committee |
| S3998 | Provides TPAF members and certain retirees same benefits provided to members enrolled in retirement system before July 1, 2007. | This bill removes the membership tiers established in the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and transfers all current non-retired members of TPAF to the membership tier referred to as "Tier 1" by the Division of Pensions and Benefits. All transferred members will be considered eligible for any benefits associated with Tier 1. Under the bill, employees of public employers who earn more than the minimum salary requirement, but do not currently meet the minimum hour eligibility requirements, will be considered eligible to be enrolled as members of TPAF. The employer is to process the compulsory enrollment of each affected employee within two months following the enactment of the bill. Any affected employees who are currently enrolled as participants of the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) will be eligible for an automatic transfer of all years of service credit to TPAF, if the employee elects to transfer their membership from DCRP to TPAF. Any years of service credit transferred to TPAF from DCRP will be used to qualify members for retirement and health benefits associated with TPAF, but will not be used to calculate the amount of pension benefit. A participant's prior contributions into the DCRP will not be transferred into TPAF and will remain in the fund. The employee will receive a notice of the transfer of service credit to TPAF within two months following the enactment of the bill. Upon receiving the notice, the affected employee has six months to notify their employer if they do not wish to become enrolled as a member and transfer their service credit to TPAF. Employees in the DCRP who opt out of the transfer will remain in the DCRP. Additionally, any members of TPAF who are receiving long term disability insurance will be eligible to apply for disability retirement as long as they apply within two calendar years following the enactment of the bill. Any changes to the early retirement, deferred retirement, service retirement, and maximum base salary resulting from the transfer of members to Tier 1 of TPAF will only affect members who begin processing a retirement application after the bill is enacted. | In Committee |
| S3472 | Makes various changes to powers and duties of NJ Infrastructure Bank. | Makes various changes to powers and duties of NJ Infrastructure Bank. | In Committee |
| S765 | Revises law prohibiting feeding of bears; establishes program in DEP for distribution of bear-proof garbage cans. | Revises law prohibiting feeding of bears; establishes program in DEP for distribution of bear-proof garbage cans. | In Committee |
| S305 | Requires Administrative Law Judges to be enrolled in Workers Compensation Judges Part of PERS. | This bill requires the enrollment in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Administrative Law Judges of the Office of Administrative Law, as a condition of employment for service as an administrative law judge for each judge enrolled after the effective date of the bill. Currently, administrative law judges are enrolled in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP). Administrative law judges will be subject to and governed by the laws and regulations of the Workers' Compensation Judges Part which was established in 2001 and reopened in 2021. An administrative law judge who is currently a participant in the DCRP will be transferred out of the program to the Workers' Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days following the bill's effective date. An administrative law judge who is currently a participant in PERS will be transferred into the Workers' Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days following the bill's effective date. The account in the DCRP for each judge will be transferred and each judge will be given service credit for service during participation in the program of administrative law judges. The unfunded liability for the benefits provided by the transfer will be paid by appropriations from the State General Fund. | In Committee |
| S2002 | Permits issuance of motorcycle endorsement to certain out-of-State military personnel. | This bill allows out-of-State members of the military, spouses of those members, and their dependents, to receive a motorcycle endorsement for their valid New Jersey driver's license while serving in another state without returning to New Jersey to retake a written or road test, or to complete another motorcycle safety course. The bill requires the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission to issue the endorsement by mail if the person pays the fee, and provides documentation of the completion of an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Rider Education Course. The person is also required to provide documentation of the person's assignment outside of the State. | In Committee |
| S2402 | Establishes New Jersey Veterans' Organization Building Grant Program. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Veterans' Organization Building Grant Program. The bill establishes a grant program in the Economic Development Authority that will support veterans' organizations and their building needs, throughout the State. These organizations, such as VFW posts, could be in need of new buildings or could have buildings that are in need of repair. Grants will be awarded when the buildings are used to assist veterans. In order to award the grants, this bill establishes a fund in the Department of the Treasury, to be known as the "Veterans' Organization Building Grant Fund." This grant program will be funded by the Legislature through yearly appropriations to the fund. The grant program also allows New Jersey taxpayers to voluntarily contribute a portion of their tax refund, or enclose a separate contribution, for the fund. There is appropriated from the General Fund $2,000,000 to the Economic Development Authority to fund the "Veterans' Organization Building Grant Program." | In Committee |
| S3800 | Enhances protections under Law Against Discrimination for persons serving in military and military veterans. | This bill enhances certain protections under the Law Against Discrimination ("LAD"). Military Service. Currently, the LAD bars discrimination based on "liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States." The bill broadens this provision to specifically bar discrimination against persons currently serving in the military and military veterans. The bill defines this additional protected class of persons as those in active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard, and those who have been discharged or released from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard. Job Protection for Military Service. The bill makes it an unlawful employment practice under the LAD for employers to deny reemployment to employees who take leave for military service. This provision is in compliance with the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. s.4301 et seq. Gender-neutral Language. Under the bill, gendered language in the LAD is changed to gender-neutral language. For example, in N.J.S.A.10:5-39, the provision in the LAD that sets out an affirmative action program for veterans, the bill replaces the phrase "soldier, sailor, marine, airman, nurse or army field clerk" with "enlisted person or officer." Unlawful Discrimination. The bill adds the term "unlawful" before "discrimination" throughout the LAD to clarify that the LAD prohibits only unlawful discrimination. The LAD does not apply to discrimination that may be lawful. For example, practices that result in a disproportionately negative impact on members of a protected class constitute unlawful discrimination only if the entity engaging in the practices cannot show that it is using the practices for a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest or cannot show that there is a less discriminatory alternative that meets that interest. | In Committee |
| S3545 | "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 |
| SJR71 | Designates first week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week. | This joint resolution designates the first full week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week in New Jersey. With advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor, an unprecedented percentage of military service members are surviving severe wounds and injures in the service of the United States. It is estimated that during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, over 48,000 servicemen and women were physically injured. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated that as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, with another 320,000 believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment. This State should honor and empower all wounded warriors, encouraging them in their adjustment to civilian life and achievement of their goals. Designates first week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2852 | Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits. | Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits. | In Committee |
| S900 | Exempts poll workers wages from affecting unemployment compensation. | Exempts poll workers wages from affecting unemployment compensation. | In Committee |
| S1394 | Increases amount of rental payments defined as rent constituting property taxes for purposes of deduction from gross income for property tax payments; increases property tax credit option for certain individuals. | Increases amount of rental payments defined as rent constituting property taxes for purposes of deduction from gross income for property tax payments; increases property tax credit option for certain individuals. | In Committee |
| S3909 | Authorizes creation of "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue 250th Anniversary Revolutionary War license plates. The design of the license plate is to be chosen by the chief administrator, in consultation with the New Jersey Historical Commission (historical commission) in the Department of State. In addition to the required motor vehicle registration fees, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the license plates. After deducting the costs to implement the plates, the additional fees collected are to be deposited into the "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be appropriated annually to support and preserve Revolutionary War sites throughout New Jersey. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost of producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of the specialty license plates. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 in two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue the license plate program. The bill also requires that the Chair of the New Jersey Historical Commission appoint a liaison to represent the historical commission in all communications with the MVC regarding the license plates. The bill provides that State or other public funds may not be used by the MVC for the initial cost to implement the license plate program. The bill requires the historical commission, or an individual or entity designated by the historical commission, to contribute non-public monies, not to exceed $25,000, to offset the initial costs to design, produce, issue, and publicize the license plates and for any computer programming necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes the historical commission to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The MVC is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of the license plates, or make any necessary programming changes, until: (1) the historical commission, or an individual or entity designated by the historical commission, has provided the MVC with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the MVC in establishing the license plate program; and (2) the historical commission has provided the MVC with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the license plates, upon the availability for purchase of those license plates. The provisions of the bill will remain inoperative until the appropriate applications and fees required to offset the initial costs incurred by the MVC are provided by the historical commission or its designee. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month following the bill's enactment if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received. | In Committee |
| S3449 | Renames Blue Star Memorial Highway Council as Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council; renames Blue Star Memorial Highway system as Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system. | This bill renames the Blue Star Memorial Highway Council as the Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council and the Blue Star Memorial Highway system as the Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system to recognize Gold Star families. Gold Star families are immediate relatives of members of the United States Armed Forces who have been killed in combat or in support of certain military activities. The bill also requires the Department of Transportation, within 90 days of the bill's effective date, to update all signage throughout the State concerning the Blue Star Memorial Highway system to reflect the highway system's updated name, the "Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway system." | In Committee |
| AJR46 | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates January of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in the State of New Jersey in recognition of the many Hindu residents of this State and their rich and noteworthy history and cultural contributions to this State. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, dating back to a time between 3000-8000 BCE. Sacred texts have been passed on through generations for thousands of years, creating a strong following of 1.1 billion Hindus in the 21st century. Hindus believe in a variety of deities, each representing different concepts and values within Hinduism. Different sects of Hindus emphasize particular deities and practices over others, depending on their beliefs. Various Hindu gods and goddesses can be traced to origin points spanning several thousand years, making the traditions surrounding Hinduism and the Hindu deities rich and storied. Some deities have holidays celebrated in their honor, such as Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which celebrates Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. Another well-known Hindu holiday is Holi, the Festival of Colors. It is a holiday celebrating the coming of spring, famous for colorful paste and water thrown on those celebrating. Hindus have made enormous contributions to cultural development throughout history across the globe. Significant achievements in math, science, and medicine used in the modern world can be traced to Hindus. New Jersey is lucky enough to be the state with the highest percentage of Hindu residents in the United States. The Hindu community has shown others the beauty of their beliefs, including though the establishment of the largest Hindu temple in the world, now located in Robbinsville, New Jersey. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S359 | Requires notice of motor vehicle safety recalls upon registration of motor vehicle; requires motor vehicle manufacturers to pay fee to MVC in certain circumstances. | Requires notice of motor vehicle safety recalls upon registration of motor vehicle; requires motor vehicle manufacturers to pay fee to MVC in certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| SJR12 | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| SR98 | Commemorates 45th anniversary of enactment of Taiwan Relations Act and 35th anniversary of New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship. | This resolution commemorates the 45th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act and the 35th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) was passed by the United States. Congress on April 10, 1979 to sustain a close bilateral relationship and advance mutual security and commercial interests between the United States and Taiwan. Since its enactment, the TRA has served as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations, preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a part of the South China Sea that separates the island of Taiwan from the Asian continent. The Taiwan Strait is crucial to the maintenance of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Its importance has been recently highlighted in global summits such as the G7, NATO and East Asian Summit. The TRA has served as the foundation for the mutually beneficial partnership between Taiwan and the United States. In 2023, a total of $127.5 billion in bilateral trade occurred between the United States and Taiwan, making Taiwan the 8th largest trading partner of the United States. In June 2023, the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade was signed to enhance the existing trade partnership as a means to promote innovation and inclusive economic growth for workers, as well as businesses. The United States has also assisted Taiwan in furthering their global participation through international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In 1989, New Jersey and Taiwan entered a sister-state relationship, which remains a continuous and prosperous affiliation today. In 2021, the relationship was expanded by a sister-city agreement between Newark, New Jersey and Taoyuan City, Taiwan. In 2023, New Jersey exported approximately $723 million worth of products to Taiwan, making Taiwan the State's 5th largest export market in Asia. In October 2023, Governor Murphy announced plans to open Choose New Jersey's New Jersey Asian-Pacific Center in Taiwan and witnessed numerous Memorandums of Understanding between State executive agencies and Taiwan to establish powerful economic trade partnerships and bilateral educational infrastructure. As of March 2024, over 200 Taiwanese companies have invested in New Jersey leading to the creation of new jobs in the State. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3831 | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | This bill requires the State Medicaid program and the Plan First program to cover standard fertility preservation services in cases in which a medically necessary medical treatment may directly or indirectly cause iatrogenic infertility. The State's Plan First program provides a benefit package of family planning and family planning-related services and supplies for individuals whose annual incomes are below 205 percent of the federal poverty level and who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid or the NJ FamilyCare program. The bill defines "iatrogenic infertility" as an impairment of fertility caused by surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other medical treatment affecting reproductive organs or processes. The bill further defines "standard fertility preservation services" as procedures which are consistent with established medical practices and professional guidelines published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or as defined by the New Jersey Department of Health, including the storage of sperm, oocytes, embryos, and cryopreserved ovarian tissue. Subsequent to enactment of P.L.2019, c.306, State-regulated health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), and the School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) cover standard fertility preservation services if a medically necessary treatment may, directly or indirectly, cause iatrogenic infertility. This statute, however, specifies that standard fertility preservation services for individuals insured by the SHBP, the SEHBP, and State-regulated health insurers does not include storage of sperm or oocytes. The bill will provide Medicaid and Plan First participants who face iatrogenic infertility with access to fertility preservation services that are frequently cost-prohibitive for low-to-moderate income patients. | In Committee |
| S2736 | Replaces references to "alien" and "illegal alien" in statutes with "noncitizen" and "undocumented noncitizen," respectively; prohibits use of those terms by executive branch agencies. | This bill replaces the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" in the New Jersey statutes with the terms "foreign national" and "undocumented foreign national," respectively, when referring to a person in the context of the person's legal status. This bill removes from State law the language characterizing persons who are immigrants as "aliens" or "illegal aliens" and prohibits State Executive Branch agencies from using those terms in any proposed or final rule, regulation, interpretation, publication, or other document, display, or sign issued by the agency after the effective date of this bill, except to the extent that they are used in quoting or reproducing text written by a source other than an officer or employee of the agency. | In Committee |
| S3798 | Authorizes EDA to use moneys in "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to support projects to refurbish or upgrade existing electricity generation facilities. | This bill would authorize the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use moneys in the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to provide grants or other financial assistance to commercial, institutional, and industrial entities to support projects to refurbish or upgrade existing electric generation facilities in order to modernize, expand, or lengthen the lifespan of the facility. The bill would also clarify that projects may result in a measurable reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases (one of the conditions of receiving financial assistance from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund") through the use of fuel cells or carbon capture technology. The "Global Warming Solutions Fund," established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2007, c.340 (C.26:2C-50), serves as the repository for moneys received from electric power generation facilities pursuant to New Jersey's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). | In Committee |
| S3801 | Allows certain breweries to sell and deliver brewed beer off-premises at retail salesrooms. | This bills allows certain breweries to sell brewed beer off premises at retail salesrooms. Specifically, this bill allows the holder of a limited brewery license to operate up to 15 salesrooms apart from the brewery premises. Under current law, only wineries that produce 250,000 gallons or less per year have this privilege. Under the bill, limited breweries would be allowed to sell and deliver their draft beer and products in original containers for consumption on the salesroom premises. However, the bill prohibits licensees from jointly controlling and operating salesrooms. | In Committee |
| SJR141 | Designates October of each year as "Chiropractic Health Month" in NJ. | This joint resolution designates October of each year as "Chiropractic Health Month" in New Jersey. Chiropractic healthcare is characterized by its evidence-based, patient-centered, drug-free approach to health and wellness. Chiropractic adjustments aim to reduce pain, correct alignment, or improve bodily functions, and can effectively treat lower back pain, neck pain, muscle pain, and headaches. Musculoskeletal disorders, including back pain, are the leading cause of disability worldwide, and are associated with persistent pain, limited mobility, depression, and work absenteeism. While opioids have historically been prescribed to treat musculoskeletal conditions, long-term use of prescription opioids may cause serious health risks, including addiction and death by overdose. By contrast, chiropractic adjustments are safe therapeutic treatments that can provide long-term relief for individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. Research demonstrates the majority of individuals who received chiropractic treatments reported the treatments were effective, and were less likely to seek pain medications, surgery, or physical therapy. By relieving pain and restoring mobility, chiropractic services can help New Jerseyans resume their lives and the activities that contribute to the culture and economic growth of the State of New Jersey This joint resolution designates October of each year as "Chiropractic Health Month" to promote awareness of chiropractic as safe, effective, drug-free treatments for musculoskeletal conditions. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation annually to recognize "Chiropractic Health Month" and call upon relevant State agencies, organizations, and citizens of the State to participate in appropriate activities. | In Committee |
| S3264 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DCA for NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce for veteran economic development and outreach and skills development. | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DCA for NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce for veteran economic development and outreach and skills development. | In Committee |
| S3794 | Requires Division of Children's System of Care to make changes to certain polices regarding the provision of family support and respite care services for certain eligible individuals. | This bill requires the Division of Children's System of Care (DCSOC) in the Department of Children and Families to: (1) establish an authorization period of 12 months for the provision of agency-hired, agency-weekend respite, and self-hired respite care, to an individual under the age of 21 with a developmental disability; (2) once an individual under the age of 21 with a developmental disability has been authorized to receive family support services from an agency contracted with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), ensure that the individual's family or guardian be provided with a bank of respite care service hours, in addition to, and separate from, any other family support service hours the individual, the individual's family or guardian, or both are eligible to receive, that can be used during each authorization period, including, but not limited to, agency-hired, agency-weekend respite, or self-hired respite care, based on the specific needs of the individual, the individual's family or guardian, or both; and (3) establish a process by which the family or guardian of an individual under the age of 21 with a developmental disability who has been authorized to receive family support services undergoes an annual reevaluation of the need for the family support services received during the authorization period. Nothing in the bill is to be construed to allow the DCSOC to reduce the amount of respite care service hours an individual under the age of 21 with a developmental disability, the individual's family or guardian, or both have been authorized to receive during a 12 month authorization period. As defined in the bill: "agency-hired respite care" means respite care, including social and recreational experiences, provided by a trained respite care worker employed by an agency contracted with the DCF to an individual under the age of 21 with a developmental disability in, or outside of, the individual's home; "agency-weekend respite care" means social and recreational experiences provided during the weekend by a trained respite care worker employed by an agency contracted with the DCF to an individual under the age of 21 with a developmental disability outside of the individual's home; and "self-hired respite care" means an arrangement that allows the family or guardian of an individual under the age of 21 with a developmental disability to recruit and hire a trained respite care worker, paid directly by individual's family or guardian, to provide social and recreational experiences to the individual in, or outside of, the individual's home. Currently, DCSOC policy reauthorizes the provision of agency-hired, agency-weekend, and self-hired respite care every 90 days, stipulates that certain respite care services are limited to a set number of service hours (60 hours for agency-hired and self-hired respite care and 75 hours for agency-weekend respite care), and requires the families of individuals under the age of 21 with a developmental disability receiving family support services to undergo an annual reapplication process to continue to receive such services. This bill would require the DCSOC to expand the authorization period for the provision of agency-hired, agency-weekend, and self-hired respite care from the current 90 days to 12 months, ensure that certain respite care services are not limited to a set number of service hours during each authorization period, and replaces the annual reapplication process with an annual reevaluation process of the family supports services provided by DCSOC to eligible individuals to afford families the flexibility to access respite care based on their specific needs. | In Committee |
| S3671 | Authorizes certain federal law enforcement officers to make arrests for violation of NJ law. | This bill authorizes certain federal law enforcement officers to make arrests for violations of State law constituting crimes of the first, second, or third degree. Under current law, certain federal law enforcement officers are authorized to act as an officer for the arrest of offenders against the laws of this State where the person reasonably believes that a crime of the first, second, or third degree is or is about to be committed or attempted in the person's presence. This bill expands the list of federal law enforcement officers to include Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agents; Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agents; Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division special agents; Coast Guard Investigative Service special agents, and Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service special agents. | In Committee |
| S3672 | Establishes protections for immigrants interacting with government agencies; designates "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act." | This bill creates a uniform code for State and local government entities, as well as health care facilities, regarding the use of resources to aid federal immigration law enforcement, and designates the "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act." Under the bill, the definition of government entities includes any of the principal departments of the executive branch of State government and any parts or creations thereof, any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality or agency, including any public institution of higher education. The bill's definition also includes political subdivisions of the State and combinations of political subdivisions, independent authorities, commissions, instrumentalities and agencies created by a political subdivision or combination of political subdivisions. Under the bill, government entities and healthcare facilities are prohibited from collecting certain personal and identifying information unless it is strictly necessary for program or service administration. Any record resulting from that collection, whether written or oral, would not be a government record under the "Open Public Records Act" unless an election agency requires it to ascertain the eligibility of a candidate when citizenship is required for an elected office. Any record also shall not be disclosed except as required to administer benefits or services pursuant to State or federal law, or valid court order or warrant, issued by a federal Article III judge or magistrate or the State equivalent. The bill provides that the prohibition on sharing information may be waived if the subject of the record or information provides written consent in that person's preferred language. The written consent shall include the following: (1) the exact record or information to be shared; (2) the purpose for sharing the record or information; (3) a statement clarifying that consent is voluntary and declining to consent shall not result in discrimination or retaliation by the government entity; (4) a statement clarifying that consent may be revoked, but that revocation does not impact a record or information already shared via prior written consent provided pursuant to this section; and (5) the person or agency to receive the record or information. The bill requires government entities to review their confidentiality policies, guidance and recommendations to identify any changes necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the bill and make any changes as expeditiously as possible, but no later than one year after the bill becomes effective. The bill also requires these entities to share their policies prominently on their Internet websites. This bill also requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Public Defender, to prepare a written notice explaining in plain language the provisions of section 6 of the bill. Section 6 of the bill details the prohibition of certain actions by law enforcement. The bill requires the notice and all translations to be posted to the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety and to be considered vital documents pursuant to P.L.2023, c.263 (C.52:14-40 et seq.). The Attorney General is also required to consult with stakeholders serving or representing immigrant communities in the development of standardized training and guidance for law enforcement to comply with the bill's provisions. The AG also shall provide mandatory training to all State, county and local law enforcement agencies within one year of the bill's effective date. Any newly sworn officer is required to complete this training within a year of the officer's appointment. The Department of Human Services is required to consult with stakeholders serving or representing immigrant communities to develop and lead a multilingual campaign to promote public awareness of the bill's requirements for law enforcement agencies. As part of the awareness campaign, DHS is required to publish the text of section 6 of the bill's provisions and a plain language summary and explanation of those requirements on its Internet website within 180 days of the bill's enactment. . Under the bill, the Attorney General is also required to consult with other government entities and stakeholders in the development of model policies for sensitive locations. These locations include health care facilities, public schools, public libraries, shelters, and any other locations deemed appropriate by the Attorney General to ensure that eligible individuals are not deterred from seeking services or engaging with government entities. The model policies prohibit the request or collection of certain information regarding a person's immigration status, place of birth or taxpayer identification except to determine eligibility for services or program benefits. The model policies prohibit assistance or participation of immigration enforcement, and prohibit the permission of immigration enforcement on entity premises that are not open without restriction to the general public. The Attorney General is required to publish the model policies on the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill requires government entities with authority to regulate sensitive places to adopt the model policies within 180 days of issuance by the Attorney General's office and encourages facilities not regulated by government entities to adopt the policies. The bill prohibits certain actions by law enforcement. Specifically, State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officials shall not: (1) stop, question, arrest, search, or detain any individual based on actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status, or actual or suspected violations of federal civil immigration law; (2) inquire about an individual's immigration status, citizenship, place of birth, or eligibility for a social security number; (3) make an arrest, detain, or prolong the detention of an individual based on civil immigration warrants; (4) use agency or department moneys, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, citizenship, or national or ethnic origin; or (5) make agency or department databases available to anyone or any entity for the purpose of immigration enforcement or investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, citizenship, or national or ethnic origin. The bill nullifies any agreement, policy or practice in place that permits in conflict with this clause. Law enforcement agencies in the State are also prohibited from: (1) participating in civil immigration enforcement operations; (2) providing to federal immigration authorities any information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular person; (3) providing access to any State, county, or municipal law enforcement equipment, office space, database, or property; (4) providing access to a detained individual for an interview; (5) facilitating or complying with immigration detainers, notification requests, and transfer requests from federal immigration authorities; (6) continuing to detain a person past the time the person would otherwise be eligible for release from custody based solely on an immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant; (7) entering into, modifying, renewing, or extending any agreement to exercise federal immigration authority or conduct immigration enforcement pursuant to section 287(g) of Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §1357(g), or otherwise exercising federal civil immigration authority or conducting immigration enforcement outside of the purview of 287(g) of Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §1357(g); or (8) providing or sharing funds, property, equipment, personnel, or access to facilities or real property not open to the general public for purposes of engaging in, assisting, supporting, or facilitating immigration enforcement. The bill provides that violations of the prohibitions on police conduct in the bill would be enforceable under the "New Jersey Civil Rights Act," P.L.2004, c.143. If an agency or law enforcement official intends to comply with an immigration detainer, notification request, civil immigration warrant, or transfer request concerning a person in custody, a written explanation specifying the legal basis for that action is required to be given to the person is custody. Lastly, the bill requires each State, county, and municipal law enforcement agency to submit to the Attorney General a report that includes: (1) the number of detainer requests, transfer requests, and notification requests made by immigration authorities, and the responses of the State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency. For any request that was granted, the report shall specify any legal basis for granting that request; (2) the number of interviews requested and the number of interviews conducted, either in person or telephonically, by immigration authorities of people in State, county, or municipal law enforcement custody. For each interview conducted, the report shall specify any legal basis for granting the interview; (3) any other requests made by immigration authorities for the agency's participation in immigration enforcement, the responses of the State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, and the legal basis for granting the request; and (4) to the extent the law enforcement agency has knowledge, any information about State, county, and municipal databases to which immigration authorities have had access to at any time in the course of the year, including: the name of the database; an overview of information available on the database; the purpose for which immigration authorities have access to this database; the process through which immigration authorities requested access and agencies reviewed this request, if applicable; any legal basis for providing immigration authorities access to the database; and the frequency with which immigration authorities accessed the database over the course of the year. Law enforcement agencies have 180 days after the effective date of the bill to produce the first report and must then annually submit a report within 30 days of the end of the State's fiscal year. The Attorney General is initially required to publish the report on the office's website within 90 days of receipt, and then within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year thereafter. The Attorney General is also required to annually submit to the Governor and Legislature a report on each law enforcement agency's compliance with the provisions of this act. | In Committee |
| S3692 | Requires certain consumer disclosures relating to rabies testing and establishes optional training for veterinarians. | The bill provides that it is a violation of the consumer fraud act for a veterinarian to intentionally misrepresent, including through the use of euphemisms, code words, or otherwise, the information required under current law to be provided to the owner of a dead domestic companion animal undergoing testing for rabies. An unlawful practice is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. In addition, the bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to develop a poster and pamphlet with information relating to rabies vaccines and quarantine and testing protocols. Veterinarians are required to display the poster in office reception areas and to distribute the pamphlets to certain customers. Lastly, the bill requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop a trauma-informed mental health protection training certification program for veterinarians and staff. The program is optional, and those who complete it are to receive a certification from the division. | In Committee |
| S3526 | Changes certain Mobility and Transportation Innovation Program requirements; appropriates $20 million. | Changes certain Mobility and Transportation Innovation Program requirements; appropriates $20 million. | In Committee |
| S3389 | Provides certain requirements concerning railroad safety. | This bill provides certain requirements concerning railroad safety. Under the bill, the owner or operator of a dangerous hazardous train is to require at least a two-person crew on all dangerous hazardous trains. The owner or operator of a dangerous hazardous train is to further require that all dangerous hazardous trains clearly display the name of the railroad company that owns the dangerous hazardous train. The bill provides for certain exceptions to the two-person crew requirement, including: when a train is performing helper service; when a train is a tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operation that is not part of the general railroad system of transportation; when a train is a locomotive that is not attached to railcars, is located inside a rail yard, and is being moved between tracks or moved to or from a maintenance shop; and when the owner or operator has been exempted from the two-person crew requirement by the Commissioner of Transportation. However, the bill specifies that the two-person crew requirement is mandatory when a train is transporting one or more loaded freight cars containing any material poisonous by inhalation or transporting 10 or more loaded freight cars or freight cars loaded with bulk packages or containing certain hazardous materials. The bill also prohibits a railroad company, including a short line, from operating any train that exceeds 8,500 feet in length on any main line or branch line within the State. Any person or railroad company that violates this maximum length is liable for a civil penalty of at least $500 but not more than $1,000 per foot exceeding the maximum train length allowed under the bill. The maximum penalty allowed is $250,000 in instances of gross negligence or a pattern of repeated violations that cause an imminent hazard of death or injury or that have caused death or injury, regardless of train length. The owner or operator of a privately owned railroad is required to submit a copy of federally required bridge inspection reports to the Commissioner of Transportation, the Governor, and the Legislature. Under the bill, the Board of Public Utilities (board), in conjunction with Department of Transportation (DOT), is required to work with each railroad company that operates in the State to ensure that wayside detector systems are installed and are operating along railroad tracks on which the railroad company operates and to ensure that such systems meet certain standards. If a railroad company refuses to work or otherwise cooperate with the board and the DOT in good faith, the board and the DOT are required to investigate the railroad company's safety practices and standards to determine whether the company appears to be in compliance with federal railroad safety standards. If the railroad company does not appear to be in compliance, the board and the DOT are then required to make a report to the Federal Railroad Administration (administration), within 60 days after this determination, detailing the results of the investigation and recommending that the administration take enforcement action against the railroad company. The bill requires the board and the DOT to send a copy of the report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill requires that all non-profit labor organizations representing a class or craft of employees of rail carriers or rail carrier contractor officials (non-profit labor organizations) be permitted onto railroad property to assist in inspecting for safety hazards and are permitted to identify any alleged safety hazards. Finally, the bill requires the DOT to work with non-profit labor organizations and local emergency response service providers to apply for federal grants. With the exception of the maximum length provisions of the bill, this bill does not apply to certain Class III carriers as defined by the Surface Transportation Board. | In Committee |
| S3660 | Limits use of restrictions on telephone calls as discipline measure during incarceration. | This bill is in response to the recommendations made by the New Jersey Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson in its April 2024 report titled, "Visits and Phone Calls," and provides for limiting the use of suspension of telephone privileges as a disciplinary measure for incarcerated persons. The bill establishes rules and regulations concerning disciplinary sanctions that limit the use of telephone privileges of an incarcerated person. Pursuant to the bill, in instances where a disciplinary sanction suspending telephone privileges is imposed on an incarcerated person, the Administrator of the correctional facility will allow the incarcerated person at least one opportunity every two weeks to place a telephone call. The Administrator will also either notify the emergency contact of the incarcerated person, or allow the incarcerated person to notify the emergency contact, that telephone access has been suspended. Further, no suspension of telephone privileges will exceed 90 consecutive days and will not exceed 180 days in a given year of incarceration. The Commissioner must also ensure that suspension of telephone privileges will not be imposed on an incarcerated person who has been placed in a Restorative Housing Unit. Finally, no telephone sanctions will be imposed within 60 days of the date that the incarcerated person is scheduled to be released. If sanctions were imposed prior to 60 days before release date, the sanctions will be terminated for the 60 day period before release. The Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement this act. | In Committee |
| S3637 | Establishes Office of Inspector General for Prosecutorial Review in but not of DLPS. | This bill establishes the Office of Inspector General for Prosecutorial Review. The Inspector General (IG) will be appointed to a five-year term by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and is required to have experience as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. The IG will operate independently, without supervision or control by any other State officer or employee. Under the bill, the IG's primary role is to investigate allegations concerning the misconduct of a prosecutor or any member of a prosecution team, including detectives. To this end, the IG is to provide a confidential process for submitting complaints by both the public and government employees. The IG is responsible for organizing the office, hiring staff, and engaging consultants as needed, using a fair, competitive process to ensure independence and effectiveness. Under the bill, a prosecutor or member of the prosecution team under investigation for misconduct by the IG is prohibited from using privilege or work-product protection to withhold information from the IG if the prosecution related to that information has concluded. The bill grants the IG authority to compel testimony and request documents through subpoenas, requiring that all investigations adhere to national and professional standards. Additionally, the IG can request information, resources, and assistance from any State department or agency to fulfill its duties. The IG is also authorized to collaborate with other State oversight entities, such as the State Auditor, the State Commission of Investigation, the State Comptroller, and the State Inspector General, and may participate in joint investigations with these agencies. The IG has discretion to decline certain investigations and can refer cases involving potential criminal conduct to appropriate authorities. Whenever a criminal referral is made against a prosecutor, the IG is required to notify the Office of Attorney Ethics. Whenever a criminal referral is made against a detective who is part of a prosecution team, the IG is responsible for ensuring the referral is documented as part of the detective's personnel file. Under the provisions of the bill, the IG is required to maintain detailed records of referrals and outcomes and may disclose information as needed while safeguarding the confidentiality of ongoing investigations. The IG is to meet at least twice annually with other State oversight bodies to coordinate efforts, share information, and prevent duplication of work. After concluding an investigation, the IG is to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, which will also be published online for public access. | In Committee |
| S3627 | Modifies languages that examinations are to be conducted in for applicants seeking professional license issued by New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. | This bill modifies current law by requiring the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to offer its practical and written examinations in English and provide the option to offer the examinations in the four other most commonly spoken languages in the State. Existing law only requires the board to provide the examinations in English, with the option of Spanish in the case of practicing licensees (who may also be approved by the board for the use of a translator). The Division of Consumers Affairs is required to post on its Internet website the four other languages in which the practical and written examination will be offered. The director of the division is to verify, at least every five years, the four most commonly spoken languages, other than English, in New Jersey. Modifies languages that examinations are to be conducted in for applicants seeking professional license issued by New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. | In Committee |
| A4533 | Revises certain sections of law concerning financing mechanisms for school facilities projects of regular operating districts. | An Act concerning the financing of school facilities projects and amending P.L.2023, c.311. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SR107 | Urges Congress to pass federal "Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act." | This resolution urges Congress to pass the federal "Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act." The United States has the highest maternal mortality rates of any high-income country, and New Jersey is ranked fourth among states with the worst maternal mortality rates. The maternal health care crisis is even more dire among Black women, who have the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States, and are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. As the Center for Disease Control reported that over 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, more can and must be done to improve maternal health care in the United States. On May 15, 2023, members of Congress re-introduced the "Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act," ("Momnibus") a legislative package consisting of 13 bills aimed at addressing the causes of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States. The Momnibus appropriates over $1 billion to invest in social health determinants affecting maternal health outcomes, diversify and expand the perinatal workforce, fund community-based initiatives, improve data collection and measures to inform understanding of the causes of and how to prevent pregnancy-related deaths, and promote and increase access to high-quality maternity care for all pregnant and postpartum women, including underserved and vulnerable populations. The House urges Congress to pass the federal "Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act," which is a critically needed step towards addressing the maternal health care crisis, promoting health equity, and saving the lives of mothers in New Jersey and across the United States. | In Committee |
| A2294 | Establishes mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | Establishes mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | Vetoed |
| A2280 | Codifies prohibition of discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and requires real estate appraisers to complete anti-bias training. | An Act concerning discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and supplementing and amending P.L.1991, c.68. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3275 | Revises various provisions of film and digital media content production tax credit program. | This bill revises certain provisions of the film and digital media content production tax credit program to include eligibility for wages and salaries paid to persons who are not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act" due to a tax reciprocity agreement with another state. Under the film and digital media content production tax credit program, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority awards corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to eligible taxpayers based on the qualified film production expenses or qualified digital media content production expenses incurred for use within certain parts of the State. In addition to certain other eligibility requirements, at least 50 percent of the qualified digital media content production expenses incurred by a taxpayer are required to be for wages and salaries paid to full-time or full-time equivalent employees in New Jersey in order to qualify for the digital media content production tax credit. Under current law, the terms "qualified film production expenses" and "qualified digital media content production expenses" are defined to include, among other expenses, the wages and salaries paid to individuals who are employed for the purposes of the production and who are subject to the tax imposed by the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act." Current law also defines the term "full-time or full-time equivalent employee" to include persons working not less than 35 hours per week, or other standard of service accepted by custom or practice as full-time or full-time equivalent employment, and whose wages and salaries are subject to withholding as provided in the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act." This bill expands the scope of qualified film production expenses and qualified digital media content production expenses to include wages and salaries that are paid to individuals who are employed for the purposes of the production and who are not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act" due to the provisions of a tax reciprocity agreement with another state. The bill also provides that these expenses would include any payments made by the taxpayer to a loan out company for services performed in New Jersey by individuals who are employed by the loan out company and whose wages and salaries are not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act" due to the provisions of a tax reciprocity agreement with another state. Additionally, the bill amends the definition "full-time or full-time equivalent employee" to include otherwise eligible persons whose wages and salaries are not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act" due to the provisions of a tax reciprocity agreement with another state. Currently, the State has entered into a reciprocal income tax agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Under the terms of this agreement, compensation paid to Pennsylvania residents who are employed in New Jersey is not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act." Accordingly, the bill provides that wages and salaries paid to certain Pennsylvania residents may be included as qualified film production expenses and qualified digital media content production expenses, provided that these persons are employed in the New Jersey for the purposes of the film or digital media content production. The provisions of this bill would take effect immediately and apply retroactively beginning on January 1, 2024 to any taxpayer who has not received a tax credit certificate or tax credit transfer certificate from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority before this date. However, any taxpayer that has previously received a tax credit certificate, but has not used such tax credit certificate before January 1, 2024, would be allowed to surrender the tax credit certificate to the authority and receive a new tax credit certificate in accordance with the provisions of this bill. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3421 | Revises certain sections of law concerning financing mechanisms for school facilities projects of regular operating districts. | This bill modifies certain sections of law concerning financing mechanisms for school facilities projects that are constructed by districts other than SDA districts. These districts are often referred to as "regular operating districts." Pursuant to current State law, a regular operating district may enter into an agreement with a county improvement authority to construct a school facilities project and to issue bonds to finance the project. In this case, the county improvement authority is required to lease the school facilities project to the county, which then leases it for nominal consideration to the school district for as long as the county improvement authority bonds are outstanding. The law stipulates that a county is not authorized to require a district to bear any portion of the cost of the bonds issued by a county improvement authority to fund the school facilities project. County lease payments made to the county improvement authority are not subject to any cap on appropriations or on spending or to any tax levy cap. This bill would modify this section of law to: · permit, rather than require, a county improvement authority to lease the school facilities project to the county;· remove the requirement that the lease of a school facilities project from a county to a district be for nominal consideration;· remove language that prohibits a county from requiring a district to bear any portion of the debt service costs for bonds issued by a county improvement authority to fund a school facilities project; · require that district lease payments pursuant to the bill be sufficient to pay all debt service on county improvement authority bonds that remain after the application of State debt service aid; and· provide that school district lease payments to a county for a school facilities project are not subject to any cap on appropriations or on spending or to any tax levy cap. Current State law also permits a regular operating district to raise bonds for a school facilities project without the approval of the voters of the district if: 1) the school district enters into a contract with one or more municipalities under which the municipality remits a portion of the payments in lieu of taxes received from one or more designated properties; and 2) the amounts remitted from the municipality to the school district are used for the full repayment of the bonds raised for the school facilities project. This bill modifies the law to provide that municipal remittances to school districts are to be sufficient to cover only the portion of bond proceeds that are not supported by debt service aid provided by the State. The bill further clarifies that bonds, which are supported by municipal remittances of payments in lieu of taxes to a school district for a school facilities project, are eligible for State debt service aid. | In Committee |
| SJR122 | Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey. | Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey. | 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 |
| S1443 | Establishes mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | Establishes mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | In Committee |
| S3502 | Establishes sheltered market program for certain business enterprises seeking State contracts. | This bill establishes a sheltered market program that allows for State agencies, with the approval of the Chief Diversity Officer, to designate certain public contracts for availability to contractors who have been certified by the Department of the Treasury. This program will be available to contractors who are certified as a disabled veterans' business, minority business, women's business, small business, economically or socially disadvantaged business, LGTBQ+-owned business, or veteran-owned business. The bill directs the Chief Diversity Officer to establish criteria for determining which contracts should be designated for this program, including the degree of historical underutilization of qualified business enterprises based on a review of qualified business enterprises in the State's central certification registry or a State-commissioned disparity study. State agencies will be permitted to object to the designation of certain contracts for the program if they determine such designation would be contrary to an important State public policy, the practical limitations of the agency or contract, or an applicable legal order. The bill also requires that State agencies publish all contracts or categories of contracts approved for the sheltered market program on their respective websites prior to opening such contracts for bidding, and the chief publishes such contracts on the department's website. The bill further requires State agencies and the chief to conduct outreach regarding available contracts under the sheltered market program to qualified business enterprises and State agencies to conduct general or pre-bid submission conferences or workshops to help potential bidders understand the bidding process for the sheltered market program. State agencies will also be required to offer each bidder to a contract designated for the sheltered market program the option to debrief on the process following the award of the contract and conclusion of any challenges to contract awards after the expiration of the time period for challenges to be filed. This bill will require each State agency to submit an annual report to the chief on the implementation of the sheltered market program, including: (1) the number and dollar value of contracts awarded to qualified business enterprises under the sheltered market program; (2) the total number, the percentage, the total dollar value, and the percentage dollar value of contracts awarded by State agencies to qualified business enterprises eligible for participation in the sheltered market program; (3) recommendations for continuing, modifying, or terminating the sheltered market program; and (4) a description of efforts undertaken to increase contracting with qualified business enterprises. The bill provides that a State contract will not be awarded under the sheltered market program for a term to exceed three years, and that each contract will include termination for cause and termination for convenience clauses, consistent with the State agency's standard terms and conditions. Finally, the bill requires that prime contractors awarded contracts under the terms of the bill make a good faith effort to offer subcontracting opportunities to qualified business enterprises. The bill provides that failure on the part of a contractor to demonstrate a good faith effort may be cause for the rejection of bids made by that contractor. In determining whether a good faith effort has been made, the State agency and the chief will consider whether the contractor has advertised the opportunity to qualified business enterprises and (1) whether qualified business enterprises exhibited interest in working with the prime contractor on a particular project by attending, or having attended, a pre-bid conference, if any, scheduled by the State agency awarding the contract; and (2) whether qualified business enterprises, which have been solicited by the contractor, have responded in a timely fashion to the contractor's request to engage qualified business enterprises prior to the State agency's bid date. The chief and the State agency will also consider whether the contractor provided timely written notification of subcontracting opportunities to qualified business enterprises that appear in the State's central certification registry and whether the contractor can reasonably structure the amount of work to be performed under subcontracts to increase the likelihood of participation by qualified business enterprises. | In Committee |
| S3491 | Secures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing legally protected health care activities; establishes right of residents to legally protected health care services, which are restricted in other states. | This bill establishes certain protections for individuals seeking abortion or gender-affirming health care services, as well as certain protections for professionals who provided abortion-related health care services. Crime: Interference with Reproductive or Gender-Affirming Health Services This bill creates the new crime of "interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health services." A person is guilty of the crime if the person purposely or knowingly, with the purpose to unlawfully restrict another's access to or receipt or provision of reproductive or gender-affirming health care services or to intimidate the person from becoming or remaining a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services patient, provider, volunteer or assistant: (1) inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily injury; (2) obstructs any person seeking to enter into or exit from a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services facility; (3) intimidates, threatens, or coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any person or entity because that person or entity is a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services patient, provider, volunteer, or assistant; (4) damages, defaces, or destroys the property of a person, entity, or facility, or attempts to do so, because the person, entity, or facility is a reproductive or gender-affirming health care service patient, provider, assistant, volunteer, or facility; (5) videotapes, films, photographs, or records by electronic means, within 100 feet of the entrance to a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services facility, a patient, provider, volunteer, or assistant without that person's consent; or (6) discloses or distributes a videotape, film, photograph, or recording of the person. Interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health care services is a crime of the fourth degree, but is a crime of the second degree if the victim suffers significant or serious bodily injury. Further, interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health care services is a disorderly persons offense if the act would cause a reasonable person to suffer: (1) damage to the victim's business or personal reputation; (2) financial harm; or (3) pain and suffering, mental anguish, or emotional harm. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A disorderly persons offense is a punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Civil Action: Interference with Reproductive or gender-affirming Health Services The bill also authorizes a person to bring a civil action against a person who unlawfully interferes with another person's reproductive or gender-affirming health care services. Under the bill, a court may award: (1) injunctive relief; (2) compensatory damages in an amount not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of $1,000 for each violation; (3) punitive damages upon proof of willful or reckless disregard of the law; (4) reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs; and (5) any other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate. Under the bill, the Attorney General may bring a civil action to enjoin a violation of the law, for compensatory damages, and for the assessment of a civil penalty against each person who violates the law. The civil penalty imposed on each actor will be up to, but not exceed, $10,000 for a first violation, and $25,000 for any subsequent violation. Dispersal of Gatherings The bill authorized any law enforcement officer to order the immediate dispersal of a gathering that substantially impedes access to or departure from an entrance or driveway to a reproductive or gender-affirming health care facility during the business hours of the facility. Failure to comply with an order to disperse issued by the Attorney General or a law enforcement officer is a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Licensing Boards The bill prohibits a board from imposing any additional or alternative penalties, in accordance with N.J.S.A.34:1-22, on the holder of a certificate, registration, or license based solely on the holder providing, authorizing, participating, referring to, or assisting with any health care, medical service, or procedure related to an abortion for a person who resides in a jurisdiction where the provision, authorization, participation, referral, or assistance is illegal. Applicability of Laws of Other States The bill establishes that a law of another state that authorized a person or government entity to bring a prosecution, civil action, or any other legal action to deter, prevent, sanction, or punish any person engaging, aiding, or assisting in providing or prescribing any legally protected health care activity is against the public policy of this State. Further, such laws of another state are prohibited from being applied to any matter, case, or controversy heard in a State court or in an administrative tribunal of this State. The prohibition does not apply to an action founded in tort, contract, or statute under the laws of this State, or an action founded in tort, contract, or statute under the similar laws of another state. This includes, but is not limited to, an alleged act of malpractice or negligence by a person in the person's profession or occupation. Protection of Patient Information This bill updates P.L.2022, c.51 to provide a definition of "legally protected health care activity" and "gender-affirming health care services." P.L.2022, c.51 provides certain protections with respect to the disclosure of patient information relating to reproductive health care services, as well as protecting access to health care, medical services, and procedures related to an abortion for persons who come to this State from jurisdictions in which these actions are illegal. The bill provides that in any civil action or other proceeding preliminary thereto, a medical provider or other covered entity, as described under federal law concerning medical privacy and security, is barred from disclosing the following communications or information, unless the patient or patient's conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative explicitly consented in writing to the disclosure: (1) any communication made to the covered entity, or any information obtained by the covered entity from, a patient or the conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative of a patient relating to legally protected health care activity; or (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a patient relating to legally protected health care activity that is permitted under the laws of this State. Additionally, under the bill, a public entity of this State or employee, appointee, officer or official or any other person acting on behalf of a public entity would be prohibited from providing any information, or expending or using time, money, facilities, property, equipment, personnel or other resources in furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding seeking to impose civil or criminal liability upon a person or entity for: (1) the provision, receipt, or seeking of, or inquiring or responding to an inquiry about legally protected health care activity that is legal in this State; or (2) assisting, advising, aiding, abetting, facilitating, soliciting, or conspiring with any person or entity providing, receiving, seeking, or inquiring or responding to an inquiry about legally protected health care activity that is legal in this State. Extradition This bill updates N.J.S.A.2A:160-14.1 to prevent a person from being extradited to another state under certain circumstances related to "legally protected health care activity." Under current law, N.J.S.A.2A:160-14.1 prevents extradition as it relates to "reproductive health care services." Under the bill, "Legally protected health care activity" is defined as activity providing, seeking, receiving, assisting with, or inquiring about reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services that are lawful in this State, regardless of the patient's location. Relatedly, the bill also defines "gender-affirming health care services" to mean all supplies, care, and services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative, or supportive nature, including medication, relating to the treatment of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. "Gender-affirming health care services" does not include sexual orientation change efforts as defined by N.J.S.A.45:1-55. In Vitro Fertilization Protections This bill strengthens reproductive health care freedom in New Jersey by specifying that: every individual present in this State, including, but not limited to, an individual who is under State control or supervision, shall have the fundamental right to choose whether to use assisted reproductive technology (ART), including, but not limited to in vitro fertilization (IVF); and a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus shall not have independent rights under any of the laws of the State. Medicolegal Investigations This bill removes the requirement that a medical examiner conduct a medicolegal investigation of a death in the State related to a fetal death occurring without medical attendance. This provisions seeks to ensure that a woman who has a miscarriage or fetal complications is not investigated or the fetal death criminalized. Repealers The bill repeals the following statutes, which have either been obviated by court decision or would be obviated by this bill: (1) N.J.S.A.2A:65A-5 through N.J.S.A.2A:65A-7 (banned partial birth abortions); (2) N.J.S.A.9:17A-1.1 through N.J.S.A.9:17A-1.12 (required parental notification for minors' abortion); (3) N.J.S.A.30:4D-6.1 (barred Medicaid payment for abortion except where necessary to save the woman's life). | In Committee |
| S2937 | Requires definitions of Antisemitism and Islamophobia be included in State's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging policies, and in any such policy for recipients of State's funds. | Requires definitions of Antisemitism and Islamophobia be included in State's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging policies, and in any such policy for recipients of State funds. | In Committee |
| S1292 | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; appropriates $100,000. | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; and appropriates $100,000. | In Committee |
| SJR89 | Commemorates 71st anniversary of armistice that ended Korean War. | Commemorates 71st anniversary of armistice that ended Korean War. | In Committee |
| S3436 | Permits use of credit card, debit card, or other electronic payment for bingo, raffles, and penny auctions. | This bill would permit the use of credit cards, debit cards, and other electronic payment devices for the sale of shares, tickets, or rights to participate in raffles, bingo games, penny auctions, and any other legalized games of chance the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission deems appropriate. The bill requires the commission to adopt regulations to accept credit cards and other electronic payments. Current law does not expressly permit the use of credit card or electronic payments to purchase shares, tickets, or rights to participate in legalized games of chance such as raffles, bingo, and penny auctions. | In Committee |
| S3188 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DMVA for New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group. | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DMVA for New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group. | In Committee |
| S3035 | "New Jersey Student Support Act"; establishes program to 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 |
| S2010 | Requires minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding. | This bill supplements the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977" and requires a minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding, thereby reinstating New Jersey's only State appropriated, unrestricted fund for local health departments. Such appropriation will be expended in accordance to the provisions of the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977." From 1966 to 2010, under the "State Health Aid Act" and later amended as the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977," the State provided local health departments with flexibility to address local needs, emerging threats, and other priorities via the appropriation of dedicated funds. The State eliminated Public Health Priority Funding in the FY 2011 Appropriations Act. For context, in FY 2010, Public Health Priority Funding amounted to approximately 15 percent of the total funding for local health departments. Currently, local health departments in New Jersey are funded via local property taxes and State and federal funding that is designated for specific purposes, such as vaccines or environmental health services. | In Committee |
| S1032 | Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers. | Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers. | In Committee |
| S3335 | Provides gross income tax deduction for expenses incurred by disabled veterans for service animals. | This bill provides a gross income tax deduction of up to $5,000 for certain expenses incurred by a disabled veteran taxpayer related to the purchasing, training, or maintaining a service animal. Eligible maintenance expenses for a service animal would include purchases of food, grooming, and veterinary care. Under current law, certain taxpayers are permitted to claim a deduction for the portion of certain medical expenses incurred related to the maintenance of service animals. The deduction authorized in this bill would be allowed for any qualifying costs incurred by a disabled veteran that are not already deductible as an eligible medical expense. A "disabled veteran" is defined under the bill as any resident of the State who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in the United States Armed Forces and who has a service-connected disability, as determined by the United States Veteran's Administration. Under the bill, the term "service animal" has the same meaning as is defined under the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," 42 U.S.C. s.12101 et seq. and any regulations promulgated under the act. Currently, federal regulations at 28 CFR 35.104 define "service animal" to mean "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability." Federal regulations further require the work or tasks performed by the service to be directly related to the individual's disability. | In Committee |
| SCR107 | Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing Legislature to extend civil service hiring preference to veterans who did not serve in time of war. | This concurrent resolution proposes an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution to allow the Legislature to enact a law to extend the preference given to veterans for hiring for civil service positions. The law would determine the eligibility of veterans for the purpose of hiring preferences for civil service positions. Currently, only veterans who served in time of war receive a hiring preference when applying for civil service positions. This amendment would allow veterans who did not serve in time of war also to receive a hiring preference for civil service positions. | In Committee |
| S1311 | Codifies prohibition of discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and requires real estate appraisers to complete anti-bias training. | Codifies prohibition of discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and requires real estate appraisers to complete anti-bias training. | In Committee |
| S787 | Provides supplemental transportation aid to certain districts participating in interdistrict public school choice program. | This bill provides supplemental transportation aid to certain districts participating in the interdistrict public school choice program. Under the bill, a choice district located in a city of the second class, which district has been directed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to engage in efforts to desegregate the student population, is responsible for providing transportation, including the organization of bus routes and bidding for transportation services, or aid-in-lieu-of transportation, to certain elementary and secondary school pupils to attend the choice district. Under the bill, the sending district will receive State aid for transportation for those students transported to the choice district. The sending district will then pay directly to the choice district the State aid for transportation, or aid-in-lieu-of amount, received by the sending district under the bill. The bill also provides supplemental State aid for transportation for a choice district responsible for transporting students from a sending district pursuant to the provisions of the bill when the total costs of providing transportation from the sending districts to the choice district exceeds the amount of State aid for transportation the sending district receives pursuant to the bill. To be eligible to receive the supplemental State aid for transportation, the choice district is required to demonstrate to the commissioner that the bus routes will utilize cost efficient methods. The choice district is to annually report to the Department of Education at the end of each school year the cost of providing transportation to students from a sending district that exceed the amount of funds the choice district receives from the sending district under the bill. The department is required to reimburse the choice district for the additional costs reported. | Crossed Over |
| S2082 | Establishes New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force; clarifies collection of student growth data. | An Act establishing the "New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force," and amending and supplementing P.L.2012, c.26. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1059 | Establishes Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $3 million. | Due to the nature of law enforcement work, with its associated risks, danger, and stress, law enforcement officers face a high probability of developing post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses. Law enforcement officers commonly feel that disclosure of mental illness will result in negative professional consequences up to and including job loss, creating a culture in which officers often do not divulge mental health struggles and do not seek appropriate and necessary treatment. Family members of law enforcement officers often face unique stressors related to their loved ones' employment and may have an elevated need for mental health services. To address these concerns, the bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program in the Department of Human Services. The purpose of the program is to award grants to mental health providers to provide confidential mental health services to law enforcement officers or family members of the law enforcement officers who are in a mental health crisis or suicidal. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services is required to develop an application by which a mental health provider may apply for a grant for funding to provide mental health services pursuant to the provisions of the bill. The commissioner is required to establish selection criteria for the awarding of grants under the program. The bill provides that consideration is to be given to the geographical location of mental health providers and the areas where they provide services in order to facilitate patients traveling less than one hour to receive mental health services, to the greatest extent possible. Under the bill, the commissioner is to provide notice of the availability of funding for this program and make the application available on the department's Internet website. Upon receipt of an application, the commissioner is required to review the application and, subject to the availability of funds, award a grant to each approved grant applicant. Additionally, under the bill, the commissioner is required to publish a list of approved mental health providers on the department's Internet website. | In Committee |
| S3251 | Establishes "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act." | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act." The bill establishes in the Department of Human Services (department) a Migrant and Refugee Resource Coordination Program. The purpose of this program will be to connect migrants and refugees with information and resources regarding public assistance programs for which they are eligible. The department will ensure that the information provided under the program will include, but not be limited to, information on: housing, healthcare, educational opportunities, job training, and legal services. The department will collaborate with local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to facilitate access to these resources. Under the bill. the department will develop and implement an outreach campaign to inform migrants and refugees about the program. The outreach campaign will utilize multiple languages and media platforms to ensure widespread dissemination of information about the program. The department will submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature, which report will: (1) detail the effectiveness of the program, including the number of migrants and refugees served and the types of assistance provided; and (2) include any recommendations for improvements to the program. | In Committee |
| S3236 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 million from Property Tax Relief Fund to DOE to support Pantoliano-DePass school based mentoring pilot program in certain Bergen County school districts. | This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $1 million to Pantoliano-DePass School-Based Mentoring Pilot Program in Bergen County School Districts. Funding from this bill is to be distributed between the following 14 school districts: Ridgefield Boro School District, Bogota Boro School District, Englewood City School District, Fort Lee Boro School District, Franklin Lakes Boro School District, Norwood Boro School District, Northern Highlands Regional School District, Cliffside Park Boro School District, Hackensack City School District, Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional School District, Fairview Boro School District, Dumont Boro School District, Bergenfield Boro School District, and Ridgefield Park Township School District. The appropriation may be used to cover, for each district: an administrator's salary; administrative costs of the pilot program; and stipends for staff and mentors participating in the pilot program. The amounts appropriated to each school district are to be determined by the Commissioner of Education, pursuant to a competitive application process. At the conclusion of the pilot program, the Commissioner of Education is to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature. The sponsor notes that school-based mentoring programs have numerous positive outcomes on student confidence, behavior, and engagement. The sponsor also notes that these programs strengthen student relationships and enhance school safety. | In Committee |
| SCR98 | Reconstitutes the "Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity." | This concurrent resolution reconstitutes the "Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity," which was created by the 216th Legislature and reconstituted in the 218th, 219th, and 220th Legislatures. The concurrent resolution provides that the joint committee is authorized, empowered, and directed to conduct a continuing study of issues concerning economic justice and equal employment opportunity in this State. The joint committee, in its endeavor to study these issues, shall meet and hold hearings at places, throughout the State, as it shall designate during the sessions or recesses of the Legislature. | In Committee |
| SJR91 | Designates August of each year as "Black Business Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the month of August of each year as "Black Business Month" in support of Black-owned businesses in the State of New Jersey. Black-owned businesses are an essential part of New Jersey's economy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black-owned businesses account for 10 percent of all businesses in the United States, or roughly 2 million companies. More than half of all Black business owners are female, a higher percentage than any other demographic. Over the past several years, the number of Black-owned businesses has been growing at a higher rate than overall business growth in the United States. Despite rapid growth, the percentage of businesses owned by Black Americans is still substantially lower than the percentage of Black Americans in the population of the United States. An increase in the proportion of Black-owned businesses would promote greater economic freedom for Black Americans and be beneficial to both the Black community and the overall economy. Black-owned businesses have been disproportionately impaired by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 41 percent of Black-owned businesses closing during the pandemic compared to 17 percent of white-owned businesses and roughly one third of all small businesses. These business closures have exacerbated the economic disadvantages faced by Black Americans every day. Economic issues are interrelated, and by offering support to Black business owners, New Jersey can work toward improving issues of unemployment, wealth accumulation, and home ownership for Black residents. "Black Business Month" was established nationally in August 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. The objective of Mr. Templeton and Mr. Jordan was to influence the policy agenda affecting Black-owned businesses, to support Black-owned organizations, and to promote greater economic freedom for the Black community. The observance of "Black Business Month" each year provides an opportunity for government officials, community leaders, and business leaders to focus on ways to support Black business owners and help Black-owned businesses thrive. | In Committee |
| ACR105 | Reconstitutes the "Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity." | Reconstitutes "Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity." | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3164 | 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 |
| SJR107 | Designates March of each year as "Fibromuscular Dysplasia Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates the month of March of each year as "Fibromuscular Dysplasia Awareness Month" in order to promote an awareness and understanding of the disease. Fibromuscular dysplasia, commonly referred to as FMD, is a disease that causes abnormal cellular development in the arterial wall, which can lead to the narrowing or tearing of arteries. FMD is considered a rare disease that currently has no cure or standard protocol to treat it. The joint resolution also respectfully requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. | In Committee |
| S3031 | Removes principal place of business requirement of "Set-Aside Act for Disabled Veterans' Businesses. | The "Set-Aside Act for Disabled Veterans' Businesses" defines a disabled veterans' business as a business which has its principal place of business in the State, is independently owned and operated, and at least 51% of which is owned and controlled by persons who are disabled veterans, or a business which has its principal place of business in this State and has been officially verified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a service disabled veteran-owned business for the purposes of department contracts pursuant to federal law. The act also includes a goal that contracting agencies will award at least 3% of their contracts to disabled veterans' businesses. This bill removes the requirement that the businesses have a principal place of business in the State of New Jersey. This change may increase the pool of businesses and subcontractors eligible to compete for the State contracts, which may help contracting agencies meet the goal that they award at least of 3% of their contracts to disabled veterans' businesses. | In Committee |
| S3009 | Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." | This bill establishes the "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." Under the bill, all statutes, rules, and regulations, in this State including all local laws or ordinances related to the elective franchise must be construed liberally in favor of: (1) protecting the right of voters to have their ballot cast and counted; (2) ensuring that eligible voters are not impaired in registering to vote; and (3) ensuring voters of race, color, and language-minority groups have equitable access to fully participate in the electoral process in registering to vote and voting. The bill prohibits the authority to prescribe or maintain voting or elections policies and practices to be so exercised as to unnecessarily deny or abridge the right to vote. The bill also prohibits a local election office or political subdivision from using a method of election that has the effect of impairing the ability of members of a protected class to elect candidates of their choice or influence the outcome of elections, as a result of vote dilution. The bill requires that any policy and practice that burdens the right to vote must be narrowly tailored to promote a compelling policy justification that must be supported by substantial evidence. The bill provides factors for determining if a violation of the bill has occurred, including if a voter's right to vote has been violated or if the voter has experienced vote dilution. Under the bill, if a violation of the provisions of the bill occurs, the bill provides a remedy process, including for apportionment and redistricting maps. The bill provides that after a New Jersey Voter Empowerment Act (NJVEA) notification letter is mailed from a prospective plaintiff to a political subdivision, the political submission may pass an NJVEA resolution reaffirming: (1) the political subdivision's intention to enact and implement a remedy for a potential violation of the bill; (2) specific steps the political subdivision will undertake to facilitate approval and implementation of such a remedy; and (3) a schedule for enacting and implementing such a remedy. The bill provides that if the governing body of a political subdivision lacks the authority under this act or applicable State law or local laws to enact or implement a remedy identified in the resolution, or fails to enact or implement a remedy identified in the resolution, within 90 days after the passage of the resolution, or if the political subdivision is a covered entity as defined by the bill, the governing body of the political subdivision must coordinate with the Attorney General to resolve the violation, including reaffirming that any proposal is unlikely to violate the United States Constitution, New Jersey Constitution, or any federal or State law; and is feasible to implement. Under the bill, the Attorney General is provided with certain preclearance powers. The bill provides that if certain political subdivisions that have been the subject to court order or government enforcement action based on violations of the bill; the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; the 15th amendment to the United States Constitution, or a voting-related violation of the 14th amendment to the United States Constitution, may be subject to preclearance, which is the process of obtaining prior approval from the Attorney General or a court of this State for any changes related to election procedures in that political subdivision. The bill provides assistance to language-minority groups. Under the bill, a local election office or a political subdivision that administers elections must provide language-related assistance in voting and elections to a language-minority group in a political subdivision if, based on data from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey, or data of comparable quality collected by a public office, that: (1) more than two percent, but in no instance fewer than 100 individuals, eligible voters of a political subdivision are members of a single language-minority group and are limited English proficient; or (2) more than 4,000 of eligible voters of such political subdivision are members of a single language-minority group and are limited English proficient. The bill further provides that a local election office or political subdivision required to provide language assistance to a particular language-minority group pursuant to this section must provide voting materials in the covered language of an equal quality of the corresponding English language materials, including registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other physical or online materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots. Under the bill, any aggrieved persons or organization whose membership includes aggrieved persons or members of a protected class, organization whose mission, in whole or in part, is to ensure voting access and such mission would be hindered by a violation of this bill, or the Attorney General may file an action pursuant to the bill in court. The bill provides that any action or investigation to enforce any provision of this bill, the Attorney General would have the authority to take proof and determine relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil and criminal laws of this State. The bill also establishes the "New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute," at a public university in New Jersey, to maintain and administer a database and central repository of elections and voting data available to the public from all local election offices and political subdivisions in the State of New Jersey and to foster, pursue, and sponsor research on existing laws and best practices in voting and elections. The bill also contains a severability provision. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, or other portion of the bill is for any reason held or declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or preempted by federal law, or the applicability of that portion to any person or facility is held invalid, the remainder of the bill would not thereby be deemed to be unconstitutional, preempted, or invalid. The purpose of this bill is to: (1) encourage participation in the elective franchise by all eligible voters to the maximum extent; (2) ensure that eligible voters who are members of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups have an equal opportunity to participate in the political processes of this State and exercise the elective franchise; (3) improve the quality and availability of demographic and election data; and (4) protect eligible voters against intimidation and deceptive practices. This bill would take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| S3030 | Establishes "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program." | This bill establishes the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" in the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. This program shall help New Jersey employers recruit qualified veterans to fill positions in New Jersey by providing relocation assistance to those qualified military veterans through eligible employers. The department shall contract with a nonprofit organization in New Jersey to administer the program. The department shall enter into an agreement with participating employers, who agree to provide relocation assistance to eligible veterans for eligible expenses. The department shall reimburse these expenses to participating employers in an amount not to exceed $5,000. The department shall develop criteria for the granting of relocation assistance. The process for receiving relocation assistance shall be as follows: (1) A veteran must create a profile with the nonprofit contracted to administer the program. A participating employer shall use these profiles to select and contact candidates regarding available positions. (2) After accepting a position, document the eligible expenses necessary for reimbursement. Upon receipt of the documentation, the participating employer shall reimburse the veteran for relocation expenses that are eligible in accordance with its relocation policy or procedure in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per household. The Adjutant General may adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the program. | In Committee |
| SCR43 | Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights. | Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights. | In Committee |
| S2913 | Establishes Commission on Insurance Reimbursement. | This bill establishes the "Commission on Insurance Reimbursement." The commission is to review and approve or deny applications submitted by health insurance carriers approved to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey and which seek to reduce the payment rate for any Current Procedural Terminology ("CPT") code when the CPT code is appended with one or more modifiers. The application to be submitted is to include, among other items, the amount of the proposed reduction in payment rate and a full and complete justification for the reduction in payment rate. As part of the review process, the commission is to consider if the proposed reduction will interfere with the ability of residents of the State to access necessary medical care; have an adverse effect on the stability of the State's health care system; and adversely affect one or more State-licensed health care providers or one or more State-licensed health care facilities. The commission is to affirmatively solicit and consider information from parties other than the applicant, including, but not limited to, health care providers anticipating an impact by the proposed reduction to the payment rate, as to the anticipated effect of the proposed reduction. A final written determination is to be issued by the commission within 60 days of receipt of an application. Under the bill, the commission may approve in whole, approve in part and deny in part, or deny in whole an application. The applicant is to have the opportunity to be heard before the commission issues its final determination. The commission is to annually submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature regarding this application process. The report is to include a summary of its determinations and its overall findings and activities; and recommendations for proposed changes to the current laws regarding health benefits plans. | In Committee |
| S198 | Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in, and requires divestment from, 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies. | This bill, would prohibit the Director of the Division of Investment (director) from investing any assets of the State retirement funds in any of the top 200 companies that hold the largest carbon content fossil fuel reserves. Under the bill, divestment from coal companies would be required to be completed within two years, and from all other fossil fuel companies within one year. The director would be authorized to cease divestment or reinvest in previously divested companies if the director demonstrates that, as a direct result of the divestment, the State retirement funds have or will become equal to or less than 99.5 percent of their hypothetical value had no divestment occurred. Finally, the bill would require the State Investment Council and the director to report on the divestment efforts required by the bill within 120 days of the bill's effective date, and annually thereafter. | In Committee |
| S2771 | Requires DHS to establish Alzheimer's disease public awareness campaign. | This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish Alzheimer's disease public awareness campaign. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services, subject to available funds, is required to establish an Alzheimer's disease public awareness and education program. The purpose of the program is to promote public awareness of Alzheimer's disease and the value of early detection and possible treatments, including the benefits and risks of those treatments. The DHS may accept for that purpose any grant of monies, services, or property from the federal government, an organization, or a medical school. The program is to include the following: (1) development of a public campaign to promote Alzheimer's disease awareness and education, including, but not limited to, the subjects outlined in the bill; (2) development of educational materials to be made available through local boards of health, physicians, hospitals, and clinics; and (3) development of educational programs for judicial staff, police officers, fire fighters, and social services and emergency medical service providers, to assist them in recognizing the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and understanding how to respond to the needs of persons with the disease in the course of performing their duties. The bill provides that the DHS, in consultation with the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, is to prepare and make available on the DHS's Internet website, in English and Spanish, and in a manner that is easily understandable by the general public, information about the symptoms and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and any other information that the commissioner deems necessary. | In Committee |
| S2750 | Makes various changes to address sexual assault and child abuse and neglect involving military personnel; addresses protection, penalties, enforcement, jurisdiction, and victim compensation matters. | Sexual assault remains a persistent problem in the military despite numerous initiatives to address it. The lack of progress stems from the complexity of the problem of sexual assaults, and it is necessary to develop effective prevention and response programs to increase the reporting of sexual assaults as well as to increase the conviction rates of perpetrators of sexual assault. This bill directs a State court to issue a temporary protective order, in the case of nonconsensual sexual conduct or domestic violence, upon complaint of an applicant who is a service member of the New Jersey National Guard or any Reserve Component of the Armed Forces of the United States serving within the State who is a victim of non-consensual sexual contact who has also received a military protective order, or upon complaint of the Staff Judge Advocate of the New Jersey National Guard or any Reserve Component serving in the State on behalf of a named victim who is a victim of non-consensual sexual contact who has also received a military protective order. The bill makes military protective orders issued by an appropriate military authority effective throughout the State, provides for their enforcement, and directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish and maintain a central registry of all orders of protection issued by an appropriate military authority or a foreign tribunal and all persons who have been charged with a violation of a protective order. The bill makes it a petty disorderly persons offense if, with the purpose to harass another, a person engages in conduct after having been notified, while the person was a member of the National Guard, not to engage in such conduct by a commanding officer. In addition, the bill prohibits any person from obtaining a handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card who is subject to a restraining order issued pursuant to Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, a temporary or final domestic violence restraining order issued in another jurisdiction, or a substantially similar order issued by the court of another state, tribe, United States Territory, appropriate military authority, or military tribunal. Under the bill, a person, or the family member of the person, that is participating in a military legal proceeding is to receive unpaid leave from employment to seek legal assistance and remedies and attend and prepare for the proceeding when the proceeding involves domestic or sexual violence. The bill also directs the Adjutant General to provide current and former members of the National Guard who were the victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment while members of the National Guard and who are involved in administrative or New Jersey Code of Military Justice proceedings related to sexual assault or sexual harassment, with financial assistance to fully cover the expenses of traveling to and from and participating in those proceedings. The bill stipulates that a person with an order of protection issued by the court of another state, tribe, United States territory, military tribunal, or military protective order issued by an appropriate military authority to file the order with the clerk of the Superior Court in a judicial vicinage in which the person believes that enforcement may be necessary, and requires the New Jersey National Guard to file a certified copy of any military order of protection with the court in a judicial vicinage in which the person entitled to protection resides or, if the person entitled to protection is not a State resident, in a judicial circuit in which it is believed that enforcement may be necessary. Full-time civilian law enforcement officers employed by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or Air Force Office of Special Investigations, who are empowered to effect an arrest with or without a warrant for violations of the United States Code and who are authorized to carry firearms in the performance of their duties are authorized under the bill to act as an officer for the arrest of offenders against the laws of this State where the person reasonably believes that a crime of the first, second, or third degree is or is about to be committed or attempted in his presence, and where the person reasonably believes that a crime of the fourth degree, relating to criminal sexual contact, harassment, or stalking is or is about to be committed or attempted in his presence on a military installation, or off a military installation by a service member against another person, regardless of whether or not either person was on or off duty at the time of the alleged assault, while that officer is in the performance of official duties. The bill provides that a person subject to military discipline under State law who commits an offense of harassment prohibited under State law will be guilty of that offense in accordance with military discipline and be punished as a court martial may direct. Pursuant to the bill, an application for a claim to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office by a military personnel victim based on a sexual assault by another military personnel will not be denied solely because it was not reported to a superior officer or law enforcement officer at the time of the crime and sets forth factors that will be considered for purposes of determining if a claim of military sexual assault qualifies for compensation. The bill provides that if a report is accepted as a credible allegation of domestic abuse or child abuse or neglect by the Department of Children and Families, the department will collect information concerning the military status of the spouse, intimate partner, parent, or guardian of the child who is the subject of the report and share information about the allegation with the appropriate military authorities in accordance with the memorandum of understanding with the military family advocacy program at a local military installation, with respect to interpersonal violence and child abuse and neglect investigations. The State may, pursuant to the bill, exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the United States over a military installation of the United States Department of Defense located within the State in a matter relating to a violation of federal law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice if certain conditions are met. Lastly, the bill provides that, upon acceptance or relinquishment of the United States by the Governor or any other State official, department, or agency, the State will exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the United States over a military installation of the United States within the State in and over land or lands ceded, in a matter related to a violation of federal or State law, upon any child or juvenile, within the limits and extent of lands so ceded and providing that the State will retain concurrent jurisdiction over a military installation of the United States in certain cases. | In Committee |
| S2674 | Includes crime of creating false public alarms as form of bias intimidation. | This bill expands the list of crimes that are a form of bias intimidation to include the crime of creating a false public alarm under N.J.S.2C:33-3. Under current law, a person is guilty of the crime of bias intimidation if he commits, attempts to commit, conspires with another to commit, or threatens the immediate commission of certain offenses, which include terroristic threats, assault, murder, arson, harassment, and certain weapons offenses, 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. The bill also removes paragraph (3) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:16-1 from the statute. In State v. Pomianek, 221 N.J. 66 (2015), the New Jersey Supreme Court held that the provision was 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. Depending upon the circumstances, the crime of creating a false public alarm can range from a fourth degree to a first degree crime.Bias intimidation is a crime of the fourth degree if the underlying offense is a disorderly persons offense or petty disorderly persons offense. Otherwise, bias intimidation is a crime graded one degree higher than the most serious underlying crime, except in cases in which the underlying crime is of the first degree. A crime of the fourth degree is typically punishable by a term of up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the first degree is typically punishable by a term of 10 to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. A conviction for bias intimidation as a first-degree crime may, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-6, be an ordinary term of imprisonment between 15 years and 30 years, with a presumptive term of 20 years. | In Committee |
| S2673 | Provides for jurisdiction for prosecution for certain crimes against minors committed outside New Jersey. | The bill would expand the jurisdiction of the statute concerning endangering the welfare of a child, N.J.S.2C:24-4. Under the bill, the statute would apply to situations where a person having a legal duty of care or having assumed responsibility for the care of a child in New Jersey engages in sexual conduct with that child in a jurisdiction other than New Jersey. Currently, N.J.S.2C:24-4 makes it a crime of the second degree if a person having the legal duty for the care of a child or having assumed responsibility for the care of a child "engages in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of a child." A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of $150,000 or both. This bill is in response to State v. Sumulikoski, 221 N.J. 93 (2015), where the New Jersey Supreme Court held that New Jersey courts did not have jurisdiction to prosecute New Jersey school officials who were chaperones on a school trip to Germany and allegedly engaged in sexual conduct in Germany with students from the school. By adding the proposed language to the statute, it is the sponsor's intent to make it clear that N.J.S.2C:24-4, endangering the welfare of a child, applies to sexual conduct with a child that takes place within and outside of New Jersey under these circumstances. Thus, this bill would confer jurisdiction to New Jersey courts in cases similar to State v. Sumulikoski. In addition, the bill is intended to be consistent with the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-3 concerning territorial jurisdiction in criminal cases. The statute provides that a person may be convicted in New Jersey if "the offense is based on a statute of this State which expressly prohibits conduct outside of the State, when the conduct bears a reasonable relation to an interest of this State." (See: paragraph (6) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:1-3). In the view of the sponsor, there can be no question that New Jersey has a significant interest in ensuring that children for whom an adult has assumed a duty or responsibility of care in New Jersey are subject to prosecution for unlawful sexual conduct, no matter where the sexual conduct occurs. | In Committee |
| S2651 | Regulates smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. | This bill amends the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act" (act) with respect to smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Under the bill, the act's prohibition on smoking is not to apply to the area within the perimeter of any casino simulcasting facility approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1992, c.19 (C.5:12-194) and any casino approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-6), provided that: (1) smoking is to be permitted in not more than 25 percent of the area of any casino floor and casino simulcasting facility; (2) smoking is to only be permitted in areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility designated by signage by the operators for smoking; (3) smoking is to only be permitted under the following circumstances: in unenclosed interior designated smoking areas which contain slot machines or other electronic games, but is not to include areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility that are fifteen feet or less from any casino pits offering table games with live dealers; and in enclosed interior designated smoking areas equipped with a ventilation system that is separately exhausted from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, so that air from the smoking area is not recirculated or backstreamed into interior areas that are not interior designated smoking areas; (4) all enclosed interior designated smoking areas are to be separated from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, by solid walls or windows, a ceiling, and a solid door; and (5) no stationary employee is to be assigned to work in an enclosed interior designated smoking area unless the employee voluntarily chooses to work in the designated enclosed interior smoking area. | In Committee |
| S1431 | Establishes foreclosure protection and mortgage relief for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | This bill would establish foreclosure protection and mortgage relief for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Hurricane Ida initially approached the Gulf Coast as a category 4 hurricane, and caused severe damage to a large area of the south and northeast regions of the country. In New Jersey, thousands of families have been displaced and unable to return to their homes as a result of this storm. This bill would offer certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida temporary protections against foreclosure, and would require mortgage servicers to provide a temporary pause in the mortgage payment obligations of the storm-impacted homeowners. The bill defines a "storm-impacted homeowner" as a homeowner who, as of August 31, 2021, occupied a residential property as the homeowner's primary residence, and who obtained federal disaster assistance for disaster-related needs as a result of damage sustained to the home due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The bill directs a mortgage servicer to grant a mortgage forbearance to a storm-impacted homeowner if the homeowner submits a written request prior to the first day of the sixth month following the enactment of the bill, affirming that the homeowner:· suffered a negative financial impact resulting from damage to the homeowner's primary residence due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida, and obtained federal disaster assistance as a result;· has a gross household income for 2022, that does not exceed 150 percent of the most recent area median income by zip code; and · does not possess bank accounts that collectively contain more than six months' reserves of the homeowner's gross household income for 2021, although the mortgage servicer may require the homeowner to provide a cash asset certification to demonstrate compliance with this provision. Upon receipt of a written request or verbal authorization for a mortgage forbearance from a storm-impacted homeowner, the bill would require a mortgage servicer to provide to the homeowner with a mortgage forbearance and confirmation of this action in writing. The minimum initial mortgage forbearance period of a storm-impacted homeowner would be one year. If requested, the bill requires the mortgage servicer to provide a subsequent forbearance period of at minimum 180 days, for a total of at minimum 545 days. Fees, penalties, or interest, including attorney's fees beyond the amounts scheduled and calculated as if the storm-impacted homeowner made all contractual payments on time and in full under the terms of the mortgage contract, would not be assessed or accrue during or as a result of a mortgage forbearance. A forbearance would not impact property tax and insurance obligations. A mortgage servicer that grants a forbearance pursuant to the bill would be required to encourage owners to seek out certified housing counseling and provide confirmation of the approval of the forbearance, information concerning the process for forbearance, and information on how to request a subsequent forbearance. The bill prohibits a mortgage servicer from furnishing negative mortgage payment information to a debt collector or credit reporting agency related to mortgage payments subject to a mortgage forbearance under the bill. In response to a complaint to the Attorney General from an impacted homeowner, the Attorney General may bring an action alleging a mortgage servicer has violated this prohibition. Under the bill, the repayment period of any mortgage subject to the forbearance would be extended by the number of months the forbearance is in effect. The payments not made during the months of the forbearance would instead be due on a monthly basis during the period constituting an extension of the mortgage, unless the property owner chooses to make these payments earlier. A storm-impacted homeowner denied a forbearance under the bill by a mortgage servicer licensed by the Department of Banking and Insurance ("DOBI"), and not a State- or nationally-chartered financial institution, may file a complaint with DOBI. DOBI would be required to investigate the complaint and, if appropriate, would order the mortgage servicer to grant a forbearance to the impacted homeowner. To the extent required by the Administrative Director of the Courts and DOBI, the bill would require a mortgage servicer to provide information on the provision of forbearances to those entities. Under the bill, a storm-impacted homeowner who is the subject of a foreclosure proceeding would be awarded, by the court and upon application by the property owner, a stay in the foreclosure proceedings if the conditions necessary to obtain a mortgage forbearance are satisfied. An application to the court by a storm-impacted homeowner would be required to be made prior to the first day of the sixth month following the effective date of the bill, unless the courts in their discretion permit application submission for a longer period. The award of a stay pursuant to the bill would conclude upon the earlier of:· the conclusion of one year following the initial award of a stay of foreclosure proceedings; or · July 1, 2024. The bill would take effect immediately, and apply retroactively to mortgage payments missed subsequent to September 1, 2021. | Dead |
| S2526 | 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 |
| S789 | Extends affordable housing preference to certain allied South Korean veterans. | This bill extends the existing affordable housing preference for United States veterans to South Korean veterans who, as determined by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, served in the Vietnam conflict as allies to the United States; and are a citizens and residents of this State. The bill also extends certain existing affordable housing preferences to surviving spouses and caretakers of South Korean veterans who served in the Vietnam conflict as allies to the United States. The bill's provisions apply to affordable housing in housing projects that are financed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, public housing authorities, county improvement authorities, redevelopment agencies, and the Department of Community Affairs, when acting as a public housing authority. This bill would take effect on the first day of the third month next following enactment, except that the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Adjutant General of Military and Veterans' Affairs, would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2496 | Establishes Office of New Americans in Department of Human Services. | This bill establishes the Office of New Americans in the New Jersey Department of Human Services. This bill codifies the existing Office of New Americans established in 2019 pursuant to Executive Order 74 of 2019. The commissioner will appoint the director, and the director will be the administrator and head of the office. The bill requires the office to be a centralized location for expertise and data on New Americans and to engage in programs, initiatives, and policies focused on successful integration for immigrants, refugees, and their children. The office will also provide technical assistance and training to other offices and departments in the Executive Branch on issues pertaining to effective and equitable engagement with New Americans. The bill also requires the Department of Human Services, through the Office of New Americans, to: administer services for New Americans; engage directly with immigrant and refugee communities and service providers to understand and address their concerns and the obstacles they face in accessing services and resources; and support and advise State departments and agencies, as well as other organizations, on community engagement and outreach to promote best practices and improve the accessibility of State programs and information by New Americans. Additionally, the bill requires the office to use data for informing the State's efforts only as authorized under State and federal law to advance integration for immigrants. The office will not use or share data for the use of civil immigration enforcement. | In Committee |
| S2511 | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | This bill repeals the "Pet Purchase Protection Act," P.L.1999, c.336 (C.56:8-92 et seq.) and replaces it with a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits by pet shops. The bill also imposes several other requirements concerning the sale and adoption of animals. The bill provides that, without limiting the prosecution of any other practices which may be unlawful pursuant to State consumer fraud laws, it would be an unlawful practice and a violation of State consumer fraud law, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), for any breeder or broker to knowingly sell a cat or dog that is unfit for purchase. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" as having any disease, deformity, injury, physical condition, illness, or defect which is congenital or hereditary and severely affects the health of the animal, and which was manifest, capable of diagnosis or likely contracted on or before the sale and delivery of the animal to the consumer. The bill specifies that the death of an animal within 14 days of its delivery to the consumer, except by death by accident or as a result of injuries sustained during that period, would be construed to mean the animal was unfit for purchase. The bill establishes a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops and establishes a $500 fine for each violation of this prohibition to be collected in a civil action under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999. The bill authorizes a pet shop to: 1) sell or offer for sale any other type of animal as may be otherwise permitted pursuant to State law or regulation, or sell or offer for sale pet supplies for any type of animal, including a cat, dog, or rabbit, if it is licensed by its municipality to do so; and 2) offer, in collaboration with an animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, space in the pet shop to showcase cats, dogs, and rabbits that are available for adoption, provided that no payment or compensation, monetary or otherwise, is exchanged between the pet shop and animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, for the use of the pet shop or for the adoption of any cat, dog, rabbit, or any other animal. The bill prohibits animal rescue organizations, animal rescue organization facilities, pet shops, shelters, or pounds from obtaining a cat, dog, or rabbit from a breeder or broker in exchange for any type of compensation. The bill specifies that: 1) no provision of the bill may be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke the requirements for pet dealers that are not pet shops or the rights of a consumer purchasing an animal from a pet dealer that is not a pet shop, as may be provided elsewhere in law or any rule or regulation; 2) any provision of law or regulation pertaining to pet shops that does not pertain to the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits would continue to apply to pet shops; and 3) no provision of the bill may be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke any recourse or remedy that is otherwise available to a consumer purchasing a cat, dog, rabbit, or any other type of animal and provided under any other law. The bill specifies that the bill's provisions may not be construed to interfere with the implementation of, or otherwise invalidate, or limit or restrict any municipality, county, local health agency, or municipal or county board of health from enacting or enforcing, any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation that places additional obligations or restrictions on pet shops, pet shop sales, pet dealers, breeders, brokers, or breeder or broker sales. | In Committee |
| S210 | Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging stations and for commercial zero emission vehicle fleet conversions. | This bill provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging stations and for the purchase of commercial zero emission vehicles. The first component of the credit is based on the amount a taxpayer pays to purchase and install an electric vehicle charging station at their business, trade, or occupation, at the taxpayer's primary residence in this State, or at a multi-family or mixed-use property for use by tenants or guests. The credit is capped at 50 percent of the amount paid towards the purchase and installation of the electric vehicle charging station during a privilege period or taxable year, or $1,000 per station, whichever amount is less. The second component of the credit is based on the difference in the amount paid by a taxpayer for a qualified commercial zero emission vehicle compared to what the taxpayer would have paid for a comparable conventionally fueled vehicle. This credit is capped at 50 percent of the difference between the amount paid during the privilege period or taxable year towards the purchase of a qualified commercial zero emission vehicle and the amount that would have been paid for a comparable conventionally fueled vehicle, except that the credit cannot exceed $25,000 if the qualified commercial zero emission vehicle weighs less than 14,000 pounds, $50,000 if the vehicle weighs 14,001 to 26,500 pounds, and $100,000 if the vehicle weighs more than 26,500 pounds. A taxpayer is required to submit an application with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, who is responsible for certifying a taxpayer's application for the credit, and providing a copy of the certification to the taxpayer and the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury. These tax credits are non-refundable, but may be carried forward for seven years after the privilege period or taxable year during which the credit are initially earned. The credit would be available for a five-year period commencing on January 1 next following the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2345 | Consolidates certain affordable housing and assistance applications. | This bill directs the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to establish, and make available on the Internet website of the New Jersey Housing Resource Center (center) or its successor, a single online application for individuals to pre-apply to multiple affordable and senior housing units and housing developments at one time. The bill also consolidates applications for housing and housing related subsidies into one application and incorporates this application into the online application to pre-apply for affordable housing. Under the bill, the online application serves only as a pre-application to determine initial eligibility and standing on waitlists for the available housing and is not to serve as a final determination of eligibility. The application is to provide an individual with the ability to select specific municipalities, counties, and general regions of the State for housing they wish to pre-apply. The application is to be applicable to all housing listed on the center's website, which is to include, but is not to be limited to: rental housing, for-sale housing, temporary housing, and priority housing. The bill also requires the consolidation of all applications for housing and housing related subsidies provided under any State or federal subsidy program into one application, which is to be incorporated into the single online application. The application consolidating housing and housing related subsidy applications is to have the capability to serve as a final determination of eligibility. The consolidated application is to include, but would not be limited to, several subsidy programs enumerated in the bill. | In Committee |
| S1603 | Establishes fringe benefit rate for State colleges and universities. | This bill directs the Division of Budget and Accounting, also known as the Office of Management and Budget, in the Department of the Treasury to establish a fringe benefit rate for public institutions of higher education that reflects the actual cost of employee fringe benefits. The separate fringe rate is to first apply in FY 2025. Currently, the fringe benefit rate used is not specific to employees at the State's public institutions of higher education, but to State employees in general. Many State employees are enrolled in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), while many of the employees employed by State public colleges and universities are enrolled in the less costly Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) or are not enrolled in a retirement plan. This results in a difference between the actual cost of benefits and the amount paid to the State. | In Committee |
| S781 | Authorizes creation of registered nurse license plates. | Authorizes creation of registered nurse license plates. | In Committee |
| S753 | Requires certain ambulances to carry epinephrine. | This bill requires certain ambulances to carry epinephrine. Under the bill, each basic life support ambulance and each volunteer first aid, rescue and ambulance squad vehicle is to be equipped with a supply of epinephrine auto-injector devices, and is to be staffed by at least one emergency medical technician certified to administer an epinephrine auto-injector device. The bill defines "basic life support" to mean a basic level of pre-hospital care which includes patient stabilization, airway clearance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hemorrhage control, initial wound care and fracture stabilization and other techniques and procedures authorized by the Department of Health. "Emergency medical technician" means a person trained in basic life support services as defined in section 1 of P.L.1985, c.351 (C.26:2K-21) and who is certified by the Department of Health to perform these services. The bill provides that the provisions of the bill are neither to supersede nor affect the application or interpretation of any federal or State guidance, law, rule, regulation, or order to the contrary regarding ambulance staffing levels. | In Committee |
| S751 | Provides gross income tax exclusion for capital gains from sale of certain employer securities by qualified businesses that result in net positive benefit to State. | This bill allows for a gross income tax exclusion for capital gains from the sale of certain employer securities by qualified businesses that result in the retention of full-time jobs that yield a net positive benefit to the State. The gross income tax exclusion will be contingent upon the qualified business receiving pre-transaction certification from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, that considering the gross income tax forgone from the exclusion of income, the transaction will result in the retention of full-time jobs in the qualified business in this State and will yield a net positive benefit to the State. The capital gains or income to be excluded must be from the sale of employer securities of a non-publically traded business with fewer than 500 employees, whose headquarters or base of operations is in this State, to an employee stock ownership plan, a New Jersey S corporation owned by an employee stock ownership plan, or an eligible worker-owned cooperative, benefiting employees of the business in this State, if upon completion of the transaction the employee stock ownership plan, New Jersey S corporation owned by an employee stock ownership plan, or eligible worker-owned cooperative plan owns at least 30 percent of all outstanding employer securities issued by the business. The purpose of this bill is to incentivize small businesses to establish employee stock ownership plans. An employee stock ownership plan allows companies to share ownership with employees without requiring employees to invest their own money. In addition, this bill encourages small business owners to sell their businesses to the very employees that contributed to their success and save those jobs in this State. This will help to ensure that local businesses are not sold to out-of-state buyers, which often results in the loss of jobs in this State and can be harmful to the fabric of local communities. | In Committee |
| S1584 | Increases transparency and accountability for NJT and independence of NJT board members; establishes Office of Customer Advocate; requires greater detail for capital program. | This bill provides for changes to the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) enabling statues to increase transparency and accountability and the independence of NJ Transit board members. Election of the vice chairperson The bill provides that the vice chairperson of the NJ Transit board of directors is to be elected from among the public voting members of the board. The vice chairperson is to serve for a two year term. The bill prohibits an ex officio member from serving as the vice-chairperson of the board. The bill also prohibits designees of ex officio members from presiding over any board meeting.Public Meetings The bill requires that board agendas be provided to the public seven calendar days prior to the meeting and that the board is not to allow more than 60 calendar days to elapse without holding a public board meeting. The bill authorizes any board member to request, through the office of the chair, that a topic of item be included for discussion or board action at a future board meeting. Board Hiring This bill requires that the board of directors directly hire the Executive Director, Director of the Office of Customer Advocate, and Auditor General. It also requires board approval of hiring by the Executive Director for certain positions including all positions at the level of Senior Vice President and Chief. Board and Committee Transparency and Accountability The bill subjects major planning documents to review and approval by the board of directors. The board is also required to review and approve any substantial curtailment or elimination of paratransit service. The bill requires the board to take an active role in developing corporate bylaws and to adopt new bylaws within 180 days of the effective date of the bill to ensure consistency with statutory law governing NJ Transit. The board is required to ensure that the bylaws are available to the public and published on NJ Transit's website. Under the bill, NJ Transit personnel are required to make audit documents in their final form available to the members of the board in a centralized database. If NJ Transit has not yet established a centralized database for these documents, the bill requires that the documents be made available to a board member upon request. The bill requires NJ Transit senior management to collaborate with the administration committee on the development of any major fiscal item. NJ Transit is prohibited from taking certain action concerning a major fiscal item until the major fiscal item has been presented to the administration committee. If the members of the administration committee find that the major fiscal item should not advance or needs to be modified, the full board may, at a subsequent board meeting, require NJ Transit to take action. The bill provides that the Auditor General and internal audit department of NJ Transit are to report directly to the audit committee and the board of directors and are to be independent of the supervision of the Executive Director, unless specifically authorized by the audit committee or the board. The bill clarifies that each committee of the board is to serve as an apparatus for members of the committee to obtain information and to engage in policy discussions within the purview of the committee. Upon request of a committee member, NJ Transit personnel is required to provide information to the committee at a time and in a form and manner determined by the committee. The bill permits the establishment of any ad hoc or temporary committee to address a specific issue of interest to the board or the public. Each committee, standing or temporary, is to submit a committee report to the board for each committee meeting, which is to include the written summary of the substance of any discussions and any action taken at the committee meeting. The bill states that the Director of the Office of Customer Advocate, or the director's designee, may attend any committee meeting to provide pertinent information or commentary to the committee. The chairperson of each passenger advisory committee is authorized to provide pertinent information to any committee but is not privileged to committee discussion. The bill also clarifies that the board and each member of the board remain authorized and obligated to exercise the functions and responsibilities of each committee and emphasizes that each board member is required to apply independent judgment while fulfilling the board member's duties. Customer Advocate This bill repeals a provision of law that requires NJ Transit to employ a customer advocate and, instead, establishes the Office of Customer Advocate (Customer Advocate) to: provide information and independent analysis to the NJ Transit board of directors on the impact that board and NJ Transit actions are having, or are expected to have, on NJ Transit's customers; provide genuine customer input and feedback to the board of directors, including relaying the needs and concerns of customers to the board of directors; and represent the best interest of NJ Transit's customers as determined by the Director of the Office of Customer Advocate. The Customer Advocate is allocated within the Department of Transportation but is independent of any supervision or control by the department, provided, however, that the director of the office is to be supervised by NJ Transit's board of directors. The Customer Advocate is authorized to conduct investigations, initiate studies, conduct research, present comments and testimony before the board of directors, legislative committees, and other governmental bodies, and prepare and issue reports. The Customer Advocate is required to arrange for meetings with NJ Transit passengers, on at least a monthly basis, for the purpose of: relaying the concerns and needs of passengers to the board of directors and the executive management team of NJ Transit; and providing information to passengers on major board or NJ Transit actions of which the director has knowledge. In addition to monthly meetings, the director of the office may undertake any other action that the director deems to be in furtherance of the Customer Advocate's purposes. The Customer Advocate also has the authority to represent the public interest regarding proposed fare increases, proposed substantial curtailments of service, proposed expansion of service, and any other action or omission of NJ Transit that the Customer Advocate determines has an impact on NJ Transit's customers. The Customer Advocate is required to issue an annual report detailing the office's activities for the prior year. The bill reduces the number of persons appointed by the Governor to each passenger advisory committee from six to five and instead authorizes the Director of the Office of Customer Advocate to appoint one person to each passenger advisory committee. The bill also directs the passenger advisory committees to provide advice, input, and guidance to the Office of Customer Advocate. Capital Program Public Hearing and Reporting The bill requires NJ Transit to hold at least two public hearings concerning the contents of the annual capital program before it adopts and implements the program. The bill also requires NJ Transit to hold at least two public hearings per year on its strategic plan, capital program priorities, and vision for NJ Transit's future. The bill provides requirements for the public hearings. This bill amends the requirements for the annual transportation capital program report that is annually submitted to the Legislature as part of the annual budget process. This report is a recommendation provided by the Department of Transportation and NJ Transit for how the State should appropriate the State's capital program appropriations from the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund. The bill requires that the reporting of capital projects in the report be more specific by narrowing the scope of what is to be reported as a project down to the level of each contract of $100,000 or more, or a group of contracts totaling more than $100,000 that are for related work at a single site. The bill also requires the projects to be reported in a manner that conveys the scope and scale of work to be completed over the course of the fiscal year. These requirements are directed specifically at the reporting for NJ Transit which has traditionally reported capital requests in broad categories that obscure the specific capital work to be completed. The bill also provides that the capital program is to be reported in a document format as is currently the case, and to also require the reporting of capital program information in a sortable spreadsheet format. | In Committee |
| S757 | Transfers probation employees from Judiciary to State Parole Board. | This bill would implement the provisions of a constitutional amendment which authorizes the transfer of probation from the Judiciary to the newly created Bureau of Probation in the State Parole Board. Specifically, the bill transfers all of the functions, powers, and duties of the Judiciary concerning probation to the Bureau of Probation in the State Parole Board. The transfer includes all records, equipment, technology, and other personal property, appropriations, and any unexpended balances of funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Judiciary pertaining to probation officers. The transfer would be subject to the provisions of the State Agency Transfer Act. Under the bill, all probation officers and those employees who are subject to the professional case-related contract and the professional supervisors contract are transferred from the Judiciary to the Bureau of Probation in the State Parole Board. The bill provides that the two contracts concerning probation officers and other employees who are supervisory employees and those who are case-related professional employees, and any others continues in full force and effect until their until successor contracts are negotiated. Changes appropriate to these contracts as a result of the transfer would immediately be negotiated by the current probation officers' employee organizations and the State Parole Board. The bill further specifies that all transferred employees and those covered by the two contracts would be employees of the Bureau of Probation in the State Parole Board and would retain their career service employment status and collective bargaining status, including all rights of tenure, retirement, pension, disability, leave of absence or similar benefits, held on the bill's effective date. The bill specifically provides that all probation employees transferred to the Bureau of Probation are to retain their membership in the Public Employees' Retirement System and are not eligible for membership in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System. The bill also permits the employee organizations which have represented probation officers prior to the enactment of this bill to continue their representation. Finally, the bill moves the previously established "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit" from the Judiciary to the Bureau of Probation. The unit is to consist of at least 200 probation officers who are authorized to carry a firearm and who have the authority to arrest probationers, enforce the criminal laws of this State, and enforce warrants for the apprehension and arrest of probationers who violate conditions of probation. Initially established in 2001, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that the Legislature violated the separation of powers doctrine when it established the unit as probation officers are an integral part of the court system and are under the regulatory control of the Judiciary. | In Committee |
| S774 | Requires online option for cancellation of automatic renewal of health club services subscriptions entered into online; provides additional options for cancelling health club services contracts under certain circumstances. | This bill requires an online option for the cancellation of health club services subscriptions entered into online and provides additional options for canceling health club services contracts under certain circumstances. Under the bill, a subscription service provider is required to provide a consumer with an online option to initiate the termination of the subscription service entered into online in accordance with the established billing terms and conditions of the agreement. In addition, the direct link or button provided to the consumer to initiate termination of the subscription service is to be accessible through: (1) a customer account or profile on the subscription service provider's internet website, or the user settings on a consumer's smartphone or tablet; or (2) a termination email formatted and provided by the subscription service provider that a consumer can email to the subscription service provider without being required to provide any additional information. If a consumer chooses to cancel a health club services contract by mail within three days of entering into the contract, as allowable under current law, the cancellation letter must arrive within three days of entering into the contract. If a consumer chooses to cancel a health club services contract by telephone within three days of entering into the contract, the consumer is to call the health club facility location where the consumer entered into the contract. | Dead |
| S719 | Clarifies rights of parents with disabilities in child protective proceedings. | This bill would clarify certain rights of parents with disabilities in child protective proceedings. The bill provides that a parent's or guardian's disability could not be considered a negative factor in a determination concerning the child in certain child protection proceedings, absent a specific showing by clear and convincing evidence that there is a nexus between the parent's or guardian's disability and alleged harm to the child, and that such alleged harm cannot be prevented or alleviated by accommodations for the disability, including adaptive parenting equipment or supportive parenting services. The proceedings include determinations of child abuse and neglect, removal of the child from the child's home, termination of parental rights, and hearings concerning the disposition of the child as set forth in Title 9 of the Revised Statutes. The provisions of the bill would also apply to a determination by the court as to whether to appoint a guardian for a minor child. The bill defines "disability" as having the same meaning as is set forth in the definition of the term in the Law Against Discrimination, in subsection q. of section 5 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-5). The bill defines "supportive parenting services" as services to help parents or guardians with a disability compensate for those aspects of the disability that affect their ability to care for the child and that will enable them to discharge their parental responsibilities. The term includes, but is not limited to, specialized or adapted training, evaluations, and assistance with effective use of adaptive equipment, as well as accommodations that allow a parent or guardian with a disability to benefit from other services, such as Braille text or sign language interpreters. | In Committee |
| S750 | Clarifies that civilian public safety directors of municipal, county, and State police departments do not have police powers. | This bill clarifies that civilians appointed or designated as public safety directors of police departments do not acquire and are not conferred police powers by virtue of that appointment or designation. The provisions of the bill apply to municipal police departments; county police departments, including county police, county park police, and college and university police, and police departments of State agencies. Specifically under the bill, if a police department does not have a chief of police, either because the position has not been established or because it is vacant, the highest or next highest ranking sworn police officer is responsible for the efficiency and routine day to day operations of the agency. The bill establishes that these duties are police powers to be exercised only by duly sworn law enforcement officers. The bill prohibits a person appointed as a civilian chief executive of a police department or agency from exercising police powers or performing police duties including, but not limited to, the following: (1) operating a marked or unmarked police car, conducting a motor vehicle stop, engaging in patrol activities or answering calls for service; (2) stopping, detaining, or arresting persons; (3) wearing a law enforcement officer uniform of any type or class, displaying a badge of any type, or otherwise exhibiting evidence of police authority; (4) obtaining criminal history or motor vehicle record information or accessing criminal investigative reports; (5) directing internal affairs investigations or accessing records related to these investigations; (6) directing criminal investigations; and (7) carrying a firearm while performing the duties of the civilian chief executive of the police force. The bill clarifies that the county prosecutor is authorized to enforce the law in matters relating to the duties of the appropriate authority or civilian chief executive of a county or municipal police force. The Attorney General is to enforce the law in matters relating to the duties of the appropriate authority or civilian chief executive of a State or college or university police force. The bill also prohibits a civilian chief executive from establishing a title or position that has not been approved by the Department of Personnel or appointing a civilian to control the routine day to day operations of the police department or agency. The bill authorizes an exclusive bargaining representative to directly appeal a violation to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. | In Committee |
| S747 | Prohibits business receiving State development subsidies from making certain campaign contributions. | This bill prohibits a business, or any holding company or affiliate of the business, or an officer, director, or key or principal employee of the business, from making campaign contributions to candidates for nomination or election to any public office in the State during a period when the business is receiving a development subsidy totaling $25,000 or more from a State agency or authority. The prohibition does not prohibit any individual who is a candidate for public office in this State from contributing to the individual's own campaign. A violation of this prohibition would be a crime of the fourth degree, except that the amount of a fine may be up to $200,000, and in the case of a person other than a natural person, the amount of a fine may be up to $500,000. Further, a recipient business found to have willfully and intentionally made a contribution or failed to reveal a contribution may be liable to a penalty of up to the value of its development subsidy with the State agency, may be ineligible for any remaining amount of the development subsidy, and may be debarred by the State Treasurer from contracting with any State agency or receiving a development subsidy for up to five years. The bill provides that a candidate for nomination or election to any public office in this State who solicits or accepts a political contribution prohibited by the bill is liable to a penalty for each violation as set forth in current law in N.J.S.A.19:44A-22. | In Committee |
| S313 | Makes total property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to effective date of determination of total disability; requires State to reimburse municipalities for reimbursement of property taxes paid to veteran. | This bill provides that the total property tax exemption extended to totally disabled veterans is to be retroactive to the effective date of the determination of the veteran's total disability by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. The bill also requires that the governing body of each municipality return all taxes collected on the veteran's property after the effective date of the determination of total disability by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, and requires the State to reimburse municipalities for the amount of such property taxes returned to a totally disabled veteran pursuant to the requirements of the bill. | In Committee |
| S754 | Requires base salary of Palisades Interstate Park law enforcement officers to be equivalent to average base salary of officers in contiguous municipalities. | This bill requires the base salary paid to Palisades Interstate Park officers to be equivalent to the average base salary paid to law enforcement officers employed by a contiguous municipality with the equivalent training, experience, and years of service. Under the bill, any salary increases paid to Palisades Interstate Park officers following the bill's enactment are to be allocated from the General Fund. The bill defines "base salary" as the salary provided pursuant to a salary guide or table and any amount provided pursuant to a salary increment, including any amount provided for longevity or length of service. | In Committee |
| S1608 | Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. | This bill broadens the eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating the requirement that a veteran serve during specific wars or other periods of emergency, and, in certain instances, that a veteran serve in a war zone. Instead of service during specific dates or in specific locations, the bill requires federal active service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces or a Reserve component thereof. The benefits in the bill are (1) a civil service preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) a veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); and (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF, PERS, and the State Police Retirement System (SPRS). Eligibility for the civil service benefits for all veterans is contingent upon voter approval of an authorizing amendment to the State Constitution. | In Committee |
| S783 | Requires labeling of non-flushable disposable wipes. | This bill requires non-flushable disposable wipes to be labeled, and prohibits the sale, offering for sale, or distribution for sale of these products without "Do Not Flush" labeling. The bill defines a "non-flushable disposable wipe product" to mean (1) a pre-moistened nonwoven disposable wipe marketed as a baby wipe; or (2) a pre-moistened nonwoven disposable wipe that is composed partly or entirely of petrochemical-derived fibers which may reasonably be used in a bathroom and which are to include, but not be limited to, baby wipes, bathroom cleaning wipes, toilet cleaning wipes, hard surface cleaning wipes, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizing and other sanitizing wipes, antibacterial wipes, facial and makeup removal wipes, general purpose cleaning wipes, personal care wipes for use on the body, feminine hygiene wipes, adult incontinence wipes, adult hygiene wipes, and body cleansing wipes. Any non-flushable disposable wipe product sold, offered for sale, or distributed for sale in this State would be required to have a "Do Not Flush" symbol and label notice on the product packaging in accordance with the provisions of this bill. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety are to enforce the bill's provisions. The bill would not apply to media advertisements or retailers who sell non-flushable disposable wipe products that are not properly labeled. Violations of the bill's provisions would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each offense. Each day during which a nonwoven disposable product is sold, offered for sale, or distributed in violation of the bill's provisions would constitute a separate offense. | Dead |
| S978 | Establishes the New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program; appropriates $750,000. | This bill establishes the New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development which will aim to attract to State government service students from a variety of academic disciplines from institutions of higher education who have an interest in public service. The program will be open to any full-time or part-time student currently attending any accredited institution of higher education and will be open to students in undergraduate level and graduate level programs, with the exception of juris doctorate and PhD programs. Students who are residents of New Jersey, or who are attending institutions of higher education located within New Jersey, will be granted priority over other applicants to the program. Participants will be required to complete two work periods of 240 hours each with a State government department or agency. Participants will be required to work no more than 20 hours per week, but may voluntarily work no more than 30 hours per week, during periods when semester classes are in session. Participants will be required to work no more than 40 hours per week during periods when semester classes are not in session. This bill establishes that a participant who successfully completes 480 hours of an internship with the program in the same State department, or agency will be granted preference to the extent allowable by law when applying for an entry-level civil service position within two years of their graduation date with the degree which they were pursuing during the course of their internship, if the position encompasses the same or substantially similar work completed during their internship. Disabled veterans or veterans who participate in the program will be given the highest priority for preference to the extent allowable by law; otherwise, employment preference for disabled veterans and veterans will be maintained. This bill establishes that preference for a participant who successfully completes the program will expire upon acceptance of a suitable position and will not apply for consideration for promotions. However, Employers may consider a participant's successful completion of the program when considering a potential candidate for promotion. This bill establishes no penalty if a participant leaves the program before completion. However, if a participant leaves the program before completing the 480-hour requirement, the participant will not receive the post-graduation preference for an entry-level civil service position. This bill establishes that when a participant completes the 480-hour program requirement the State government department or agency may elect to retain the participant for an additional 240 hours if the participant agrees to continue their internship. Hours worked during an internship with the program will not qualify for preference in hiring for any position in State government which requires a juris doctorate or PhD. This bill also establishes a New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program Advisory Committee. The committee will consist of the commissioners of each Executive Branch department, or their designees. The advisory committee will appoint a director of the program who will administer the program and, in cooperation with the advisory committee, develop eligibility criteria, the application process, recruit, and select the program participants. The director need not be a commissioner, or a designee, of an Executive Branch department. The director of the program, will identify and help create internship opportunities across all, or as many Executive Branch departments and agencies, as possible. The director of the program will assist program participants in receiving credit from the higher education institution for the internship, when such credits are available to the participant. This bill directs that, in the event that a program participant who successfully completes the 480-hours program requirement is denied an entry level civil service position and that position was filled by a disabled veteran or veteran, the director will attempt to identify a suitable qualifying open position for the participant. In the event that no such position is available, the two-year post-graduation period will be extended until such time as a suitable qualifying position becomes available and the participant is offered employment. This bill also establishes that students selected to participate in the program will receive a stipend of $2,500 for every 240 hours of participation in the program. The stipend will be prorated and paid bi-weekly. This bill directs that money to pay for the program will be appropriated in each State fiscal year for the stipends provided to program participants in such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed an amount as will be determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury. This bill appropriates $750,000 from the State General Fund to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development for the purposes of the program. | In Committee |
| S761 | Requires Medicaid fee-for-service coverage of managed long term services and supports when beneficiary is pending enrollment in managed care organization. | This bill requires Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) coverage of managed long term services and supports when the beneficiary is pending enrollment in a managed care organization (MCO). In doing so, the bill codifies existing Medicaid policy established in Medicaid Newsletter, Vol. 24, No. 14. Specifically, the bill requires the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage via the FFS delivery system for eligible services provided by an assisted living residence, a comprehensive personal care home, an assisted living program, or an adult family care provider to an individual who is determined eligible for the Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports program, but who is pending enrollment in a MCO contracted by the division to provide health care services to Medicaid recipients. FFS coverage provided under the bill will begin on the date on which the individual is determined clinically and financially eligible for services provided under the Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports program, and will end on the date on which the individual's enrollment in a Medicaid MCO becomes effective. The bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services to apply for such State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill and to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. | In Committee |
| S1393 | Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis. | This bill authorizes the home cultivation of medical cannabis for a registered qualifying patient's personal medical use. Specifically, the bill provides that a registered qualifying patient who is 21 years of age or older who provides notice to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission of the intent to home cultivate medical cannabis will be allowed to either home cultivate medical cannabis himself or herself, or authorize a designated caregiver to home cultivate medical cannabis on the patient's behalf. A home cultivator will be allowed to cultivate and possess up to four mature cannabis plants and up to four immature cannabis plants. Medical cannabis may only be home cultivated at the residence of the authorized home cultivator that is on file with the commission. The notice of intent to home cultivate medical cannabis provided to the commission is to specify which individual will home cultivate the medical cannabis. In no case may more than one individual home cultivate medical cannabis for a registered qualifying patient at one time. A patient may change the designated home cultivator upon providing 10 days' notice to the commission. At least 10 days after providing the notice of change, but no more than 30 days after providing notice, any medical cannabis plants in the former home cultivator's possession may be transferred to the new designated home cultivator. Any plants that are not transferred to the new home cultivator are to be promptly surrendered to law enforcement for destruction. The failure to provide notice of a change in designated home cultivator will result in the patient's registration with the commission being deemed null and void. The commission will be required to promptly update the registry information for the patient and any affected designated caregiver upon receiving notice of the patient's intent to home cultivate medical cannabis or of a change in who is authorized to home cultivate medical cannabis for the patient. Any designated caregiver of a patient who elects to home cultivate medical cannabis will be authorized to possess, transport, and assist the patient with the administration of home-cultivated medical cannabis in dried form or in any other consumable form, regardless of whether the designated caregiver is designated as the patient's home cultivator. In addition to any other civil or criminal penalties as may apply, any individual in possession of home-cultivated medical cannabis in the form of a mature or immature plant or in any consumable form, who sells, donates, or furnishes the home-cultivated medical cannabis to any individual who is not authorized to be in possession of the home-cultivated medical cannabis under the bill, will be liable to a civil penalty of up to $1,000. In addition, the individual's registration with the commission will be deemed null and void, and the individual will be permanently ineligible for re-registration with the commission as a qualifying patient, a designated caregiver, or an institutional caregiver. It is the sponsor's intent to expand access to medical cannabis for registered qualifying patients who may find the medical cannabis that is available through a medical cannabis dispensary unaffordable, or who may otherwise benefit from the convenience of home cultivation or the ability to readily access medical cannabis in the strain and form appropriate to the patient's individual treatment needs. Of the 36 states that have approved a comprehensive medical cannabis program, 17, or nearly half, currently allow for home cultivation of medical cannabis: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. | In Committee |
| S1387 | Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years; prohibits anticipation of certain revenue in municipal budget; requires additional aid be subtracted from municipal property tax levy. | This bill requires the distribution of additional State aid to municipalities under the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Act." Budget constraints required reductions in the amount of Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (CMPTRA) distributed to all municipalities in Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, and 2011. Some municipalities also experienced reductions in their Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid (ETR Aid) distribution during that period. This supplemental funding would restore, over a two-year period, approximately $331 million in reductions to CMPTRA and ETR Aid. In Fiscal Year 2023, municipalities would receive an aid increase equal to 50 percent of the difference between the distribution of CMPTRA and ETR Aid they received in Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2012. The fully restored amount would be distributed beginning in Fiscal Year 2024 and in each fiscal year thereafter. The total amount of aid to be restored to each municipality would be in addition to the total amount of CMPTRA and ETR Aid distributed to each municipality in Fiscal Year 2012. This legislation also extends the existing ETR Aid "poison pill" protection to ensure that each municipality received an aid amount not less than the combined payment of CMPTRA and ETR Aid to municipalities in Fiscal Year 2012 and the additional aid distributed under the bill. This bill also amends current law to require a municipality to subtract any additional amount of ETR aid it receives, pursuant to the bill, from its adjusted tax levy when computing that amount for its next fiscal year. By deducting the additional amount of ETR Aid from the previous year's levy, municipalities would be permitted to raise a lower amount of taxes through the levy for municipal purposes. The bill prohibits a municipality from anticipating, for purposes of preparing its annual budget, the receipt of any State aid payment from the ETR aid under the provisions in the bill. The bill also requires a municipality to amend its local budget to properly reflect the total amount distributed to the municipality from the ETR aid. | In Committee |
| S777 | Establishes New Jersey Commission on Health Equity. | This bill establishes, in the Department of Health, the New Jersey Commission on Health Equity. The purpose of the commission will be to: 1) employ a health equity framework to examine: the health of New Jersey residents; ways for units of State and local government to collaborate to implement policies that will positively impact the health of New Jersey residents; and the impact of certain enumerated factors on the health of New Jersey residents; 2) provide direct advice to the DOH regarding issues of racial, ethnic, cultural, or socioeconomic health disparities; 3) facilitate coordination of the expertise and experience of various State departments in developing a comprehensive health equity plan addressing the social determinants of health; and 4) set goals for health equity and prepare a plan for the State to achieve health equity in alignment with any other Statewide planning activities. The commission, using a health equity framework, will be required to: 1) examine and make recommendations regarding: health considerations that may be incorporated into the decision-making processes of government agencies and private sector stakeholders who interact with government agencies; requirements for implicit bias training for clinicians engaged in patient care and whether the State should provide the training; training for health care providers on consistent and proper collection of self-identified patient data on race, ethnicity, and language to identify disparities accurately; and requirements to comply with, and for enforcement of, National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (CLAS Standards); 2) foster collaboration between units of State and local government and develop policies to improve health and reduce health inequities; 3) identify measures for monitoring and advancing health equity in the State; 4) establish a State plan for achieving health equity in alignment with other Statewide planning activities in coordination with the State's health, human services, housing, transportation, education, environment, community development, and labor systems; and 5) make recommendations and provide advice, including direct advice to the Commissioner of Health, on implementing laws and policies to improve health and reduce health inequities. The commission will be authorized to establish advisory committees to assist the commission in the performance of its duties. Any such advisory committee may include individuals who are not members of the commission. The commission will comprise 27 members, including: 1) one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate and one member of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, each of whom will serve for the duration of the legislative term in which they are appointed; 2) the heads of the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Banking and Insurance, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Education, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Law and Public Safety, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of State, the Department of Transportation, Public Health Services in DOH, the Division of Aging Services in DHS, the Division of Disability Services in DHS, the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in DHS, the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in DHS, the New Jersey Office of Information Technology, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families, the New Jersey State Planning Commission, the State Police, and the Office of Management and Budget in the Department of the Treasury, or their designees, who will serve ex officio; and 3) one representative of a local health department, designated by the New Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials, who will serve for a term of four years and will be eligible for reappointment to the commission. The Governor will designate a chair and a vice-chair of the commission from among the membership. The chair will appoint a secretary, who need not be a member of the commission. The commission will be required to meet at least four times each year at a location to be determined by the chair, but may meet at such additional times and places as by the commission determines to be necessary. A majority of the authorized membership will constitute a quorum for the purpose of undertaking official business. The members of the commission will serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds made available to the commission for this purpose. The DOH will provide stenographic, clerical, and other administrative assistants, as well as any professional staff, as the commission requires to carry out its work. The commission 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. In coordination with the New Jersey Health Information Network (NJHIN), the commission will be required to establish a Health Equity Data Advisory Committee to make recommendations on data collection, needs, quality, reporting, evaluation, and visualization for the commission to carry out the purposes of the bill. The advisory committee is to include representatives from the NJHIN. Specifically, the advisory committee will define the parameters of a health equity data set to be maintained by the NJHIN, including indicators for: social and economic conditions; environmental conditions; health status; behaviors; health care; and priority health outcomes for monitoring health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations in New Jersey. The data set for which these parameters are defined are to include data from: health care facilities that report to the DOH; health benefits plans that report to the Department of Banking and Insurance; and any other data source the advisory committee determines necessary. The commission may request data consistent with the recommendations of the advisory committee. Data requested by the commission is to be provided either directly to the commission or to the commission through the NJHIN. The advisory committee may recommend that data be reported or otherwise made available to the public, in which case the commission will be authorized to publish or otherwise provide the data to the public. Data provided to the commission and data reported or otherwise made available to the public is to be provided in the aggregate and in compliance with applicable State and federal privacy laws. No later than 18 months after the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, the commission will be required to prepare and submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the activities of the commission, including the commission's findings with regard to any changes in health equity in the State resulting from the commission's activities, and the commission's recommendations for legislation or administrative action as may be necessary to implement the commission's findings and recommendations and support the commission's activities. The bill will take effect the first day of the seventh month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| S775 | Requires Attorney General to revise guidelines regarding use of conducted energy devices by law enforcement officers; establishes law enforcement conducted energy device training. | This bill requires the Attorney General to revise the New Jersey Use of Force Policy concerning the use of conducted energy devices by law enforcement officers. Under the bill, conducted energy devices would be removed from the definition of enhanced mechanical force and reclassified as mechanical force in the Use of Force Policy. The bill defines a "conducted energy device" as a less lethal device that may be deployed in probe or stun mode and is capable of delivering electrical energy into a person or other subject. The bill also defines "enhanced mechanical force" as an intermediate force option between mechanical force and deadly force that requires a greater level of justification than that pertaining to physical or mechanical force, but a lower level of justification than that required for the use of deadly force. "Mechanical force" is defined as the use of a device or substance, other than a firearm, to overcome a subject's resistance to the exertion of the officer's authority and shall include, but not be limited to, use of an energy weapon, expandable baton, baton or other object, oleoresin capsicum spray, or the physical apprehension by canines. The bill also clarifies that a conducted energy device is not included in the statutory definition of "less-lethal ammunition." Under current law, "less-lethal ammunition" is defined as ammunition approved by the Attorney General which is designed to stun, temporarily incapacitate or cause temporary discomfort to a person without penetrating the person's body. Finally, the bill authorizes law enforcement officers to carry a conducted energy device upon annually completing a training course curriculum and qualifying in the use of the device. Under the bill, the training course would include:· a minimum of six hours of instruction with a certified conducted energy device instructor;· a written examination with a passing score of 90 percent or higher;· completion of all functional tests included on the conducted energy device operator certification or annual recertification form;· tactical training in which an officer would deploy at least two live or hook-and-loop cartridges, as determined by the law enforcement agency, into a target area or halt training suit;· permission allowing the officer to participate in conducted energy device exposure training;· voluntary participation by officers in conducted energy device exposure training; and · classroom instruction and course work, which would include, but not be limited to, a conducted energy device operator power point, training bulletins, and a review of product warnings. Finally, the bill removes from current law the definition of stun gun and the penalty for possessing a stun gun in accordance with current law. In a Consent Order entered in New Jersey Second Amendment Society v. Porrino, No. 16-4906 (USDC) (April 25, 2017), the United States District Court stated that subsection h. of N.J.S.2C:39-3, "to the extent this statute outright prohibits, under criminal penalty, individuals from possessing electronic arms, is declared unconstitutional in that it violates the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and shall not be enforced." The Consent Order further provided that subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-9 "shall not be enforced to the extent this statute prohibits, under criminal penalty, the sale or shipment of Tasers or other electronic arms." | In Committee |
| S778 | 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 |
| S790 | Changes earliest date of construction or rehabilitation of housing granted credits without controls. | Under section 7 of the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-307), municipalities are given credit for a unit of housing if the municipality demonstrates that the municipality issued a certificate of occupancy for the unit, which was either newly constructed or rehabilitated, between April 1, 1980 and December 15, 1986, and if certain other criteria are met. Credits received under this provision are commonly referred to as "credits without controls." This bill changes the earliest date on which it is possible for a unit to have been constructed or rehabilitated in order to receive credits without controls from April 1, 1980 to January 1, 1948, which is the date on which the current State Constitution became effective. The purpose of the change is to give credit to municipalities for all affordable housing constructed or rehabilitated since the date of the State Constitution, which was interpreted under a series of "Mt. Laurel" decisions, to require every municipality in a growth area to provide a realistic opportunity for a fair share of its region's present and prospective needs for housing for low- and moderate-income families. The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Administrative Office of the Courts, to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S758 | Re-establishes Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative and Advisory Council on Arthritis in DHS. | This bill would re-establish the Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative and the Advisory Council on Arthritis in the Department of Human Services (DHS). The initiative and the advisory council were initially established in the Department of Health, through the enactment of the "Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative Act," at P.L.1999, c.72 (C.26:2V-1 et seq.). In 2012, the Legislature transferred the initiative and the advisory council to the DHS; but only a year later, in 2013, the Legislature repealed the "Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative Act," on the basis that the advisory council was inactive. This bill would permanently reinstitute the initiative and the council in the DHS, in order to ensure that arthritis continues to be sufficiently addressed in the State. Specifically, the bill would require the Commissioner of Human Services to re-establish the Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative within 180 days after the bill's effective date. The purpose of the initiative is to: 1) increase public awareness about arthritis, its symptoms, and available treatment options; 2) publicize options for arthritis prevention; 3) highlight the value of early diagnosis and treatment; and 4) encourage and facilitate the delivery of programs and services that are aimed at preventing arthritis-related complications and improving the quality of life of people with arthritis. In establishing the initiative, the bill would require the commissioner, at a minimum, to: 1) develop, and publicize on the department's Internet website, a list of health care providers who offer specialized services for persons with arthritis; 2) establish, or, if appropriate, authorize and facilitate the re-establishment and ongoing maintenance, of two regionally-based arthritis centers, one in the northern and one in the southern part of the State; 3) implement a public information and outreach campaign that includes, but need not be limited to, appropriate educational materials that promote the early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases; 4) implement a professional education program for health care practitioners, which is to promote and endeavor to increase professional levels of expertise in association with the diagnosis of arthritis, and the treatment and care of persons with the disease; 5) identify, and publicize on the department's Internet website, programs and services that are designed to prevent arthritis, reduce complications associated with arthritis, and improve the quality of life of those living with the disease; 6) establish a phone-based referral and support network to help arthritic persons identify appropriate health care providers, legal advocates, and available programs and services; and 7) engage in, or promote and facilitate, the use of outcome-based research designed to improve arthritis care and treatment, and appropriately publicize the findings of such research. The bill would also re-establish the Advisory Council on Arthritis in the DHS. The purpose of the council would be to advise the commissioner on the development and ongoing implementation and operations of the Arthritis Qualify of Life Initiative. The council would include 19 members, as follows: the Director of the Division of Aging Services in the Department of Human Services, the Principal Deputy Commissioner of Public Health in the Department of Health, the Director of Population Health in the Department of Health, the Director of the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families, and the Chair of the New Jersey Interagency Council on Osteoporosis in the Department of Human Services, or their designees, who would each serve ex officio; and 14 public members who have expertise or experience in arthritis or related subject matters, to be appointed by the commissioner. Each public member of the council would serve for a term of three years, except that, of the members first appointed, four would serve for terms of three years, five would serve for terms of two years, and five would serve for terms of one year. Each member is to hold office for the term of appointment, and until their successor is appointed and qualified. Members are eligible for reappointment to the council. The council would be required to organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of a majority of its members. The members would serve without compensation, but could be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the council for its purposes. Not later than 18 months after the bill's effective date, and annually thereafter, the commissioner will be required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature describing the activities and accomplishments of the initiative. | In Committee |
| S768 | Eliminates position of constable; removes statutory references to constable; repeals various parts of statutory law; implements recommendation of SCI report concerning elimination of constables. | This bill eliminates the position of constable, removes statutory references to the position, and repeals certain sections of law to reflect this change. Under the bill, the salary provisions of a municipal employment contract for a constable which was entered into prior to the effective date of the bill would remain in effect and the person would be compensated in accordance with the provisions of the contract until the contract expires. However, any provisions of the contract which grant powers and impose duties associated with the position of constable would be deemed null and void. The bill implements recommendations set forth in the December 2021 report of the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (SCI) entitled, "Abusing the Badge, A report on the SCI's Investigation into Constables in New Jersey." In its report, the SCI deems the position of constable unnecessary and outdated, and calls for the elimination of the position "before someone gets seriously injured or worse." The SCI investigation found that, rather than serve as a beneficial adjunct to police, the role of constable instead far too frequently represents a potential hazard to the constables themselves, the police, and the public at large. | Dead |
| S2239 | Extends duration of law requiring certain provider subsidy payments for child care services be based on enrollment. | This bill extends the applicability of P.L.2021, c.324, which requires that subsidy payments to licensed child care providers be based on enrollment of students who are eligible for child care services, rather than on attendance, to provide that the provisions of the law continue for an additional three years, instead of expiring on June 30, 2022 as provided for in existing law. The bill provides that a licensed child care provider or registered family day care provider receiving subsidy payments based on enrollment is required to pay wages to its staff, and determine the number of hours worked by staff, based on the number of children enrolled with the provider who are eligible for child care services. At no time will the amount of wages paid to staff or the number of hours worked by staff be based on the attendance of children eligible for child care services. The bill stipulates that a licensed child care center or a registered family day care provider receiving subsidy payments based on enrollment will continue to receive such payments until the Division of Family Development (the division) in the Department of Human Services issues the report required pursuant to the bill, at which time the division may consider to extend the payment of enrollment-based subsidies to licensed child care centers and registered family day care providers in accordance with P.L.2021, c.324. The bill requires the division to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the study conducted under the provisions of P.L.2021, c.324 within three years following the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| S668 | Increases Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care and intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services, and associated transportation services, for adults. | this bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for partial care and intensive outpatient services by 35 percent. Rates increased under the bill include, but are not limited to: per diem and hourly reimbursement rates for partial care and intensive outpatient services, as well as services provided during partial care and intensive outpatient treatment, such as intake evaluation, psychiatric evaluation, family counseling, individual counseling, and group counseling. The bill also provides that the aggregate Medicaid reimbursement rate for transportation services and mileage to or from a partial care or intensive outpatient services provider is to be no less than $10 for each one-way trip. As defined under the bill, "partial care services" means comprehensive, individualized, structured, non-residential intensive treatment services, including access to psychiatric, medical, and laboratory services, for an adult with severe mental illness or substance use disorder provided at a licensed outpatient facility for a minimum of 20 hours per week. "Intensive Outpatient Services" means comprehensive, individualized, structured, non-residential treatment sessions for an adult with severe mental illness or substance use disorder provided at a licensed outpatient facility for a minimum of nine hours per week. | In Committee |
| S252 | Requires owner or operator of certain trains to have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail; requires DEP to request bridge inspection reports from US DOT. | Requires owner or operator of certain trains to have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail; requires DEP to request bridge inspection reports from US DOT. | In Committee |
| S784 | Makes various revisions to alcoholic beverage licensing laws pertaining to certain retailers and manufacturers; provides tax credit under corporate business tax and gross income tax to certain retail licensees. | This bill makes various revisions to the law governing the sale of alcoholic beverages in this State. The bill grants privileges to the holders of certain craft alcoholic beverage manufacturer licenses. Under the bill, a holder of a limited brewery, plenary winery, farm winery, craft distillery, and cidery and meadery license would be entitled to sell food and hold certain activities and events both on and off the licensed premises. Specifically, the bill allows craft alcoholic manufacturer licensees to sell non-alcoholic beverages and food or operate a restaurant on the licensed premises. The bill also allows these craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers to coordinate with any food vendor, including food trucks, to provide food on the licensed premises or at off-premises events. These craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers also would be entitled to participate in an unlimited number of off-premises events, including private parties, festivals, and tasting events, subject to a permit obtained from the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Under the bill, craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers also would be entitled to hold an unlimited number of events on licensed premises that are scheduled in advance of the event and limited by invitation or open to the general public. The bill also allows craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers to hold private parties on and off the licensed premises. Under the bill, the host of a private party would be entitled to provide any alcoholic beverage, including alcoholic beverages which are not produced by the license holder, provided the host is not the licensee and the licensee consents to the provision of other alcoholic beverages. A social affairs permit holder or host of a private party, held on or off the licensed premises, may hire an employee of the craft manufacturer to pour alcoholic beverages produced on the licensed premises and provide educational commentary about the alcoholic beverages produced on the licensed premises. The bill also allows these craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers to hold "happy hours" and sell suitable gift items and novelty wearing apparel identified with the name of the holder of the license. The bill also removes from current law the tour requirement for limited brewery and craft distillery license holders. Under current law, these licensees are authorized to sell their products at retail to consumers on the licensed premises for on-site consumption, but only in connection with a tour of the brewery or distillery. Under this bill, consumers would not be required to take a tour of the brewery or distillery to purchase beverages for on-site consumption. The bill also allows the holder of a restricted brewery license to convert the license into a limited brewery license in exchange for a fee established by the ABC. Under current law, a restricted brewery license is only issued to a person who also holds a Class C consumption license, which are generally issued to bars and restaurants. The restricted brewery license allows the licensee to brew the beer, while the Class C license allows the licensee to sell that beer directly to restaurant patrons. This bill allows the holder of a restricted brewery license to convert the license into a limited brewery license, allowing the licensee to sell food or operate a restaurant under the bill. The bill also clarifies that craft distillery licensees are entitled to sell cocktails mixed with non-alcoholic beverages, mixers, or garnishing. In addition, the bill removes from current statutory law the fees paid by craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers and provides that the fee schedule is to be set by rules and regulations promulgated by the ABC. In addition, this bill allows for the issuance of additional plenary retail and seasonal retail consumption licenses, which allow for the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises. Under current law, a municipality may issue plenary retail and seasonal retail consumption licenses until the combined total number in the municipality is fewer than one license for each 3,000 municipal residents. Because of this restriction, there is a shortage of these licenses in some municipalities. This bill addresses this shortage by allowing the incremental issuance of additional plenary retail consumption licenses over the course of a five year period, after which time the population restriction would no longer exist. The population restriction imposed on the issuance of additional licenses would be adjusted as follows: · on and after January 1, 2024 but prior to January 1, 2025, the combined total number of licenses existing in the municipality is to be fewer than one for each 2,700 of its population;· on and after January 1, 2025 but prior to January 1, 2026, the combined total number of licenses existing in the municipality is to be fewer than one for each 2,430 of its population;· on and after January 1, 2026 but prior to January 1, 2027, the combined total number of licenses existing in the municipality is to be fewer than one for each 2,187 of its population;· on and after January 1, 2027 but prior to January 1, 2028, the combined total number of licenses existing in the municipality is to be fewer than one for each 1,968 of its population;· on and after January 1, 2028 but prior to January 1, 2029, the combined total number of licenses existing in the municipality is fewer than one for each 1,771 of its population; and· on and after January 1, 2029, there is to be no limitation on the combined total number of plenary retail consumption or seasonal retail consumption licenses existing in a municipality. In addition, the bill makes certain revisions to the fees paid by plenary retail consumption license holders and the public notice requirements and procedure to issue additional plenary retail consumption licenses. The bill also changes the procedure for renewing an inactive Class C license. Under current law, an inactive Class C license is a retail license that is not being used at an open and operating licensed premise. A licensee is required to place the license on " inactive status" when the licensed business ceases operation and the license continues to be held by the licensee of record. A municipality may renew an inactive license annually for up to two years following the date it became inactive. If the license has been inactive for more than two years, the licensee is required to file a petition to maintain possession of the license with the Director of the Division of ABC. Under this bill, a municipality would have the authority to renew an inactive Class C license to sell alcoholic beverages regardless of whether the license has been actively used in connection with the operation of a licensed premises. In addition, the bill allows a municipality to deny the renewal of an inactive Class C license if the license holder has not made a good faith effort to actively use the license. This bill removes from current law the director's authority to grant petitions to renew inactive Class C licenses and grants the authority to municipalities to renew these licenses regardless of whether the license is actively used in connection with a premises. Under the bill, the governing municipal board or body also may deny a license renewal application if it finds that the license holder has not made a good faith effort to resume active use of the license. A municipal board or body would be prohibited from denying an application for renewal by a licensee who establishes by affidavit that the licensee has been deprived of the use of the licensed premises as a result of eminent domain or fire or other casualty. The bill allows a municipal board or body that denies a license renewal to reissue the license at public sale in accordance with current law. Finally, the bill provides a tax credit to persons and entities that held a plenary retail consumption license on or prior to the bill's date of enactment. The tax credit would be issued based on taxable sales made on the licensed premises in the three years preceding the bill's date of enactment. Under the bill, a plenary retail consumption license holder who, on the bill's effective date, had taxable sales in any one of the three preceding calendar years at the licensed premises which: · did not exceed $1,500,000 would be allowed a tax credit in the amount of $50,000;· was between $1,500,000 and $2,900,000 would be allowed a tax credit in the amount of $40,000; and· exceeded $2,900,000 would be allowed a tax credit in the amount of $30,000. It is the sponsor's intent to create new market opportunities, foster economic growth and development, and encourage New Jersey's flourishing alcoholic beverage industry and its contribution to the local economy by making more retail licenses available and granting additional privileges to this State's alcoholic beverage manufacturing license holders. | In Committee |
| S766 | Authorizes certain boards of education to issue bonds to repair damages caused by natural disasters in certain circumstances. | This bill authorizes school districts and certain municipalities to issue bonds to finance costs relating to repairs to school facilities and other furnishings and equipment that were damaged due to a natural disaster for which a state of emergency is declared. Under the bill, the bonds may be issued without the approval of the voters of the district in the case of a Type II school district without a board of school estimate and without the approval of the board of school estimate or the adoption of a municipal ordinance as applicable in the case of a Type I or Type II school district with a board of school estimate. The bill requires that a district may only issue bonds if the repairs are deemed to be necessary in order to provide a thorough and efficient system of education and that the costs, or any portion of the costs, stemming from such repairs are eligible for reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The issuance of bonds under the bill would be required to be approved by the board of education of the school district. The approval would be evidenced by the adoption of a resolution by the board of education in a public meeting upon an affirmative vote of two-thirds of its full membership certifying the support of the board for the issuance of the bonds, the total estimated cost of the damage caused by a natural disaster for which a state of emergency is declared, and the amount of money to be raised through the issuance of bonds. In the event that the repairs for which bonds are to be issued are deemed to be a school facilities project that is eligible for State debt service aid pursuant to the "Educational Facilities and Construction Financing Act," the board of education is required to apply to the Commissioner of Education prior to the adoption of a resolution certifying the support for the issuance of bonds. The application will be reviewed by the commissioner on an expedited basis pursuant to a process to be established by the commissioner. The bill provides that the approval or disapproval of an application for a school facilities project would not be contingent upon the school facilities project being consistent or inconsistent with the school district's long-range facilities plan or upon the fact that the long-range facilities plan has not been amended to incorporate the school facilities project. Upon approval of an application submitted for a district seeking State debt service aid, the board of education would adopt a resolution approving the issuance of bonds. Upon the adoption of a resolution, a board of education would apply to the Commissioner of Education for approval of the issuance of bonds. An application would be submitted in a manner and in accordance with procedures prescribed by the commissioner. The application would, at a minimum: demonstrate the need to borrow and that borrowing is necessary to meet an emergency caused by a natural disaster; include the resolution adopted by the board of education under the bill; demonstrate that the repairs for which bonds would be issued are eligible for reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and demonstrate that reasonable efforts have been made to employ other methods provided by law to finance repairs to damaged school facilities and other furnishings and equipment. A decision by the commissioner concerning the approval or disapproval of an application is required to be rendered within 15 business days of receipt of the application. Lastly, the bill provides that, in the event that the commissioner approves an application for the issuance of bonds under the bill, the principal of and interest on the bonds would be repaid with funds of the school district. In addition to the amount of taxes determined by the legal voters of the district at the annual school election, the secretary of the board of education would certify the amount required for the repayment of the interest and principal of the bonds required to fund the local share amount. This certified amount would be included in the taxes assessed, levied, and collected in the municipality or municipalities comprising the school district for those purposes. The bill also includes provisions specifying the steps that a school district would take if it is under full State intervention or under partial State intervention and the governance component of school district effectiveness has not been returned to the district. | Dead |
| S752 | Provides sales and use tax exemption for sales of fuel cell devices and systems and certain tangible personal property powered by fuel cells. | This bill provides an exemption from the sales and use tax for sales of fuel cell devices and systems, and sales of tangible personal property powered by fuel cells. The bill also exempts from the tax: sales of hydrogen, propane; and natural gas and utility service that are used as a fuel in a fuel cell device or system; and sales of electricity generated by a fuel cell. In general, fuel cells use a source of energy or another fuel (such as hydrogen) and an oxidant to generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction without combustion. The electricity generated by fuel cells is clean, safe, and reliable, and can be depended upon to provide electrical power for a wide variety of residential, industrial, and commercial applications, including vehicles and material handling equipment, back-up or emergency electricity generation units, and off-grid power stations for homes, businesses, and utilities. This bill provides an exemption under the sales and use tax to recognize these benefits and encourage the continued deployment of fuel cell technologies in this State. Under the bill, the current exemption for solar energy devices and systems is expanded to exempt sales of fuel cell devices and systems designed to provide heating or cooling, or electrical or mechanical power by converting the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidant into electricity through a non-combustive electrochemical process. In doing so, the bill exempts from tax sales of mechanical or chemical devices used to store fuel cell-generated energy. The bill also provides a stand-alone exemption from the sales and use tax for sales of tangible personal property powered directly and exclusively by a fuel cell device or system that is designed to provide heating or cooling, or electrical or mechanical power to the tangible personal property as an integrated, component part of the tangible personal property. Under the bill, this exemption is included to ensure vehicles and material handling equipment (not already exempt from tax under the exemption for sales of zero-emission vehicles), electronic devices, and other consumer and commercial products that rely on an embedded fuel cell for electrical power are permitted to be sold tax free. In addition, the bill amends the sales and use tax to exempt from the tax: sales of hydrogen, propane; natural gas and utility service that are used as a fuel in a fuel cell device or system; and sales of electricity generated by a fuel cell. Hydrogen, the fuel most commonly used in fuel cells, may be created from propane and natural gas. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and provides for the sales and use tax exemptions to apply to sales made, uses occurring, and billing periods starting on or after the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| S1419 | Concerns structural integrity regulations for certain residential buildings. | This bill, supplements the "State Uniform Construction Code Act" (UCCA) to require that certain covered buildings, which are limited to condominiums and cooperatives, and plans be inspected and reviewed by a structural inspector, as defined in the bill, during the building's pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases. In addition, this bill assures that planned real estate developments have adequate reserve funds to make certain required maintenance repairs to building components and common areas. Specifically, this bill supplements the UCCA to require that a structural inspector, designated by the construction permit applicant or, in the absence of a designation, chosen by the enforcing agency, review the construction plans submitted with a construction application, set forth an inspection schedule to confirm that the primary load bearing system conforms to the building plans, and issue a written report which determines whether the primary load bearing system conforms to the building plans. A certificate of occupancy is not to be issued under this bill until the structural inspector's report confirms that the construction of the primary load bearing system of the building is in conformance with the approved construction plans. Further, a certificate of occupancy is not to be issued under this bill if the construction permit applicant does not state at the time of application, or prior to the first occupancy creating a condominium or cooperative, that the building is to be a condominium of cooperative, until the required inspections have occurred. Similarly, this bill precludes the issuance of a certificate of occupancy until any necessary repairs, renovations, alterations, or modifications to the structural components of a covered building are made pursuant to the inspector's report. Under the bill, certain timelines for inspections are dependent on when a certificate of occupancy was issued. Any additional cost to the enforcing agency incurred as a result of inspections required under this bill are to be recovered through a fee associated with the construction application. In addition, this bill requires that a planned real estate development undertake a capital reserve study to identify and assess the adequacy of the association's capital reserve funds to meet the anticipated costs associated with maintaining the structural integrity of the buildings that the association is obligated to maintain. This capital reserve study is to be conducted by a credentialed reserve specialist, or licensed engineer or architect, and is to include an analysis of certain provisions enumerated in the bill. In addition, this bill requires that a planned real estate development create and fund a plan to ensure that adequate reserve funds are available to repair or replace one or more components of common elements and facilities that the association is obligated to maintain without need to create a special assessment or loan obligation. The bill also allows an planned real estate development's executive board to adopt an assessment payable by the owners over one or more fiscal years, or obtain a loan on terms as the board determines to be reasonable, when necessary to fund the cost of corrective maintenance of the primary load bearing system of the planned real estate development. Prior to adopting the assessment, the board is to be required to obtain a written report from a licensed engineer or architect explaining that the failure to undertake corrective maintenance of the primary load bearing system would produce certain results enumerated in the bill. The bill requires that the developer of a planned real estate development prepare a document setting forth a schedule for the preventative maintenance tasks to be undertaken by the association over the life of the common area components, including, but not limited to, periodic inspections of the structural components of the buildings or common areas that the association is obligated to maintain. This document is also to be made available to prospective purchasers or owners of units, parcels, or other interests of the planned real estate development. This preventative maintenance document is to also be updated pursuant to the specifications of any structural inspections or reports performed under the UCCA. | Dead |
| S759 | Requires DOT to inspect traffic signs and establish public awareness campaign concerning traffic signs in need of maintenance. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation (commissioner) to inspect all traffic signs on highways under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (department) at least once per year, to keep a record of each inspection, and to submit an annual report of the records to the Legislature. The inspection is to ensure that traffic signs are adequately maintained and are legible and visible. The bill also requires the commissioner to establish a public awareness campaign to inform the general public about the importance of informing the department that a traffic sign is missing, is not legible or visible, or is otherwise in need of maintenance, including the means by which a person may report to the department that a traffic sign is missing, is not legible or visible, or is otherwise in need of maintenance. | In Committee |
| SCR54 | Condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred. | This resolution condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred. Throughout the last decade, there has been clear evidence of increasing incidents and expressions of anti-Semitism throughout the world. More recently, in a 2018 report, the Anti-Defamation League noted that in 2018 there were 1,879 anti-Semitic incidents against Jews and Jewish institutions, which included the deadliest attack on Jewish persons in American history on October 27, 2018 at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where 11 worshippers were killed. In 2018, a report showed New Jersey ranked third in the nation in anti-Semitic incidents with 200 anti-Semitic incidents reported. In 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported an increase in hate crimes against Jews or Jewish institutions and found that attacks against Jews or Jewish institutions made up 60.3 percent of all religious-based hate crimes. There is an urgent need to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities, and synagogues, schools, cemeteries, and other institutions. Anti-Semitism is the centuries-old bigotry and form of racism faced by Jewish people simply because they are Jews. Anti-Semitism is a challenge to the basic principles of tolerance, pluralism, and democracy and the shared values that bind Americans together. The First Amendment to the Constitution established the United States as a country committed to the principles of tolerance and religious freedom, and the Fourteenth Amendment established equal protection of the laws as the heart of justice in the United States. Adherence to these principles is vital to the progress of the American people and the diverse communities and religious groups of the State of New Jersey. The New Jersey Legislature unequivocally condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects attempts in this State, the United States, and throughout the world to justify anti-Jewish hatred. In 2021, anti-Semitic incidents were the highest in the past 10 years, reaching an all-time high of 2,717 incidents in the United States. In New Jersey, anti-Semitic incidents in 2021 were the second highest in the nation for the third straight year, and comprised 14 percent of the total number of incidents in the United States. There were 370 anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey in 2021, representing an increase from 345 in 2019 and 295 in 2020. Of these incidents in New Jersey, 123 took place in public areas, 82 took place in non-Jewish K-12 schools, 44 took place at Jewish institutions, 40 occurred at private residences, 35 took place at business establishments, and 29 took place online. The 44 incidents that took place at Jewish institutions in New Jersey in 2021 occurred across 13 different counties, represented a significant 76 percent increase compared to the 25 such incidents recorded in 2020, and included 39 incidents of harassment, four incidents of vandalism, and one incident of assault. Incidents related to Israel or Zionism in New Jersey increased by 35 percent in 2021, reaching a total of 27 incidents. The Anti-Defamation League recorded the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents of 2021 during the month of May, which directly coincided with the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. There were 56 incidents documented in New Jersey in May 2021, which is 86 percent higher than the State's average monthly total of 30 incidents. In New Jersey's schools, there were 82 anti-Semitic incidents in 2021, representing a 110 percent increase relative to 2020, of which 40 were incidents of harassment and 42 were incidents of vandalism. In New Jersey's institutions of higher education, there were 16 anti-Semitic incidents recorded in 2021, which represents a 45 percent increase relative to the 11 incidents recorded in 2020. | In Committee |
| S763 | Makes it aggravated sexual assault or sexual contact for transportation network company or taxicab driver to commit act of sexual penetration or sexual contact using coercion or without permission on passenger. | This bill provides that if a transportation network company driver or a taxicab driver commits an act of sexual penetration or sexual contact using coercion or without the victim's affirmative and freely-given permission and the victim is a passenger, the driver is guilty of the crime of aggravated sexual assault. If the driver commits an act of sexual contact under these circumstances, the driver is guilty of aggravated sexual contact. Aggravated sexual assault is a crime of the first degree, which is punishable by 10-20 years imprisonment, up to a $200,000 fine, or both. Aggravated criminal sexual contact is a crime of the third degree, which is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, up to a $15,000 fine, or both. A "transportation network company driver" is defined in the bill as having the same meaning as provided in section 2 of P.L.2017, c.26 (C.39:5H-2). | In Committee |
| S772 | Clarifies that law enforcement agencies may hold gun buyback programs and permits voluntary surrender of ammunition. | This bill clarifies that a person may voluntarily surrender ammunition to a law enforcement agency. Under current law, a person may voluntarily surrender a firearm after giving written notice to the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the person resides or the Superintendent of State Police. This bill authorizes a person to surrender ammunition in the same manner as a firearm. The bill also clarifies that the Office of the Attorney General or a county prosecutor's office may authorize gun buyback programs to allow people to anonymously and voluntarily surrender any firearm, ammunition, or weapon in their possession. Under the bill, gun buyback programs that accept surrendered firearms also are required to accept surrendered ammunition. Gun buyback programs would be permitted to grant an award in exchange for any surrendered firearm or weapon. Law enforcement agencies in this State routinely host gun buyback programs. This bill clarifies that this is a permissible practice under current law. | In Committee |
| S1983 | Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses. | This bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs), including restrictions that limit the ability of APNs to prescribe medications and administer anesthesia, and establishes new requirements for APNs to prescribe medications. The bill expressly provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or regulation to the contrary, an APN with greater than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice will be authorized to practice without a joint protocol with a collaborating provider. With regard to prescribing medications, the bill requires the use of New Jersey Prescription Blanks and satisfying continuing professional education requirements related to pharmacology and prescribing controlled substances. An APN with fewer than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be permitted to prescribe medication only if a formal joint protocol with a physician or experienced advanced practice nurse is in place. The bill revises the requirements for APNs to authorize patients for medical cannabis and to issue written instructions for medical cannabis, to provide that the APN will only be required to meet the requirements set forth under the "Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act," P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et al.). Those requirements include: possessing active State and federal registrations to prescribe controlled dangerous substances; being the health care practitioner responsible for the ongoing treatment of a patient's qualifying medical condition; and complying with various other requirements for issuing written instructions for medical cannabis. The bill further provides that every APN who is an APN-Anesthesia and who has completed 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be authorized to practice as an APN-Anesthesia to the full scope of practice for APNs-Anesthesia, without any requirement for supervision by a licensed physician and without any requirement that the APN-Anesthesia enter into joint protocols with a licensed physician. The bill provides that any State law or regulation that requires the signature or similar endorsement of a physician will be deemed to require the same of an APN, to the extent consistent with an APN's scope of practice. The bill revises and repeals certain sections of law that are obviated by the changes made under the bill. | In Committee |
| S1614 | Requires at least one drive-up ballot drop box in each county; requires certain information to be posted at ballot drop boxes and locations. | This bill requires the county board of elections in each county to establish at least one drive-up ballot drop box in the county and to post certain information at ballot drop boxes and locations. Under current law, each county board of elections is required to establish at least 10 ballot drop boxes at locations throughout the county following several criteria. Under this bill, at least one of those locations would be required to be a "drive-up ballot drop box," defined as a ballot drop box and location designed and evaluated to possess accessible features including, but not limited to, sufficient vehicle turning radius adjacent to the driver side, curb cuts, availability of handicap parking, and an unimpeded path to the ballot drop box from handicap parking. The bill requires the drive-up ballot drop box to be easy to locate and readily visible by voters with adequate lighting and a clear line of sight from the street and parking area. The bill would also require certain information to be posted at ballot drop boxes and drop box locations. Under the bill, all ballot drop boxes would be marked as an "Official Ballot Drop Box." In addition, in a uniform manner prescribed by the Secretary of State, the following information would be posted at drop boxes and drop box locations in all languages required under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and under current law for the county: the penalties for drop box tampering; a-toll free voter hotline; a statement indicating that no postage is necessary for depositing the ballot into the drop box; a statement indicating that the drop box is for mail-in ballots only for that county; and a statement informing the public of the applicable deadline for accepting ballots at the drop box. Finally, the bill directs the Secretary of State and county boards of elections to include guidelines for county boards of elections to follow to establish an electioneering boundary of 100 feet around each ballot drop box in compliance with current law. The bill requires the posting of signs and information to notify the public of the prohibited electioneering activities within the boundary of the ballot drop box. | In Committee |
| S2164 | Expands liability of certain individuals associated with limited liability companies and other commercial entities, when acting as residential landlord. | This bill expands the liability of certain individuals associated with limited liability companies and other commercial entities in relation to residential properties that they lease. Specifically, the bill provides that, in addition to retaining the ability to hold a commercial entity itself liable for housing, building, and health code charges, and charges issued under the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," ("HMDL") P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-1 et seq.), a court may hold certain members of a member-managed limited liability company, the managers of a manager-managed limited liability company, and the directors and officers of a corporation, jointly and severally liable for such charges, so long as:(1) there are at least three charges concerning the property leased by the entity for residential purposes;(2) at least three charges remain unpaid on the first day of the thirteenth month following the due date of the first charge;(3) notice of the charge and impending enforcement has been issued to the address of the record owner, the registered agent, the managing agent, the members in the case of a limited liability company, the directors and officers in the case of a corporation, and each holder of a recorded mortgage and other existing lienholders, if provided within the landlord's registration information. If the landlord is not registered, in violation of section 2 of P.L.1974, c.50 (C.46:8-28), then this notice requirement would not apply. The notice provided to an individual would be sufficient even if the commercial entity ceases to own the property, so long as the same individual has a role as a registered agent, managing agent, member, manager, director, or officer of the property's new owner;(4) the individual, if a member of a member-managed limited liability company, possesses at least a 10 percent interest in the business and(5) the defendant does not successfully assert an affirmative defense showing a lack of ability to ensure payment of the charge. Additionally, landlord registration requirements, under section 2 of P.L.1974, c.50 (C.46:8-28), currently require submission of the name and address of a registered agent who may accept service of process if the landlord is a corporation. This bill requires a landlord organized as any other legal or commercial entity, to also submit the name and address of a registered agent, as well as the name and address of the members of a member-managed limited liability company who possess at least a 10 percent interest in the business, and the officers and directors in the case of a corporation, when registering as a landlord. Upon filing this information, the bill requires the municipal clerk to notify the construction official and the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury of the name and address of the record owner, and registered agent as applicable. Finally, this bill allows municipalities to amend their housing, building, and health codes to direct that any charge issued to a landlord for violating the code may, after serving notice, be enforced as a lien on the property. However, enforcement as a lien would only be permitted if the charge remains unpaid on the first day of the thirteenth month following the due date of the charge. | In Committee |
| S782 | Requires DOT to assume responsibility for improvements and operations and maintenance of Palisades Interstate Parkway. | This bill requires the Department of Transportation to assume responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, as well as any improvements thereto. However, these responsibilities would be limited to those portions of the Palisades Interstate Parkway that are located within New Jersey. Under current law, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission has sole jurisdiction over the Palisades Interstate Parkway, and the commission is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the parkway. Accordingly, this bill transfers these responsibilities, as well as the responsibility to undertake roadway improvements, to the Department of Transportation. Under the bill, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and the Department of Transportation may enter into a written contract to effectuate the requirements of the bill. However, this contract may allow the commission to conduct all or some activities related to the improvement or operations and maintenance of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, provided that the department makes payments to the commission to support the full costs of such activities. | In Committee |
| S345 | Establishes "Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge Program." | This bill establishes the "Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge Program" (RESIC), which creates a regulatory mechanism that enables water and wastewater utilities (utilities) to recover the costs of investment in certain non-revenue producing utility system components that enhance water and wastewater system resiliency, environmental compliance, safety, and public health. The bill authorizes a utility to petition the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) concerning RESIC activities through the submission of a foundational filing. A utility that offers more than one regulated service may file a joint foundational filing for a RESIC that includes infrastructure investments for multiple regulated services or separate foundational filings to establish a separate RESIC for each regulated service offered by the utility. If a utility files separate foundational filings, each RESIC approved by the BPU would be subject to a separate revenue recovery cap. Under the RESIC program, after approval of the foundational filing, a utility may charge customers for the costs of installing, rehabilitating, improving, or replacing utility system infrastructure in accordance with the bill. However, the bill provides that the total revenues recovered through the RESIC rate may not exceed the RESIC-cap, which amount equals five percent of the utility's total annual revenues, as adjusted for certain approved charges. Under the bill, the utility would also be required to identify the amounts owed by each customer, based on the RESIC rate, separately on the customer's utility bill. | Dead |
| S755 | Requires DOC report certain information annually. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Corrections to issue an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that includes the following information concerning each State correctional facility: (1) the occupancy rates of each State correctional facility; (2) the number of pregnant inmates incarcerated at a State correctional facility; (3) the number of cells which are unoccupied due to the need for repairs; (4) the average daily census of each State correctional facility; (5) incidents of use of force by correctional police officers or staff upon or towards an inmate to include a description of the incident that resulted in injury, the State correctional facility where the use of force occurred, and the cause and type of injury, if any, that resulted from the use of force; (6) incidents of use of force used to effectuate the removal of an inmate by a correctional police officer who is designated by the Department of Corrections as a member of the Special Operations Group, to include the reason for the inmate's removal and a justification for the use of force; (7) any acts of violence committed against an inmate by another inmate or inmates, correctional police officer, or employee of a State correctional facility; (8) the recidivism rate of former inmates to include separate data for inmates who were released after having served a maximum term of imprisonment, released on parole, or released through placement in a residential community release program; (9) any resources and reentry services provided to inmates upon release from incarceration, including the number of inmates who were enrolled in certain programs, such as the Medicaid program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Work First New Jersey program, upon the inmate's release from incarceration and the number of former inmates who were released from incarceration and provided with: ? a valid driver's license; ? a valid non-driver identification card; ? a social security card; or ? a birth certificate; (10) the number of correctional police officers who took part in any correctional police officer training courses, type of courses taken, and the race, gender, and level of educational attainment of those correctional police officers who participated; (11) the amount of overtime paid to correctional police officers in each of the preceding 10 years to include an explanation regarding why it was necessary to pay overtime; (12) the number of inmates with mental illness or a substance use disorder; (13) the number of inmates receiving mental health services or substance use disorder treatment services from the State; and (14) for any inmate who had commutation credits restored or forfeited at each State correctional facility, the number of inmates who forfeited credits or had credits restored and the number of credits forfeited or restored for each inmate. In addition, under the bill, the commissioner is to categorize data contained in the annual report both cumulatively and by individual facility. The bill prohibits the inclusion of personally identifiable information regarding any inmate in these reports. The bill defines "act of violence" to mean the commission or attempt to commit offenses such as aggravated assault; threats to do bodily harm; lewd, indecent, or obscene acts; murder; manslaughter; or aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault; or criminal sexual contact. | In Committee |
| S2204 | Establishes "Male Teachers of Color Mentorship Pilot Program"; appropriates $95,000. | This bill establishes the three-year "Male Teachers of Color Mentorship Pilot Program," which is to be developed and operated by the Commissioner of Education. The commissioner is to select one or more institutions of higher education that offers an educator preparation program, and one or more school districts, charter schools, or renaissance school projects that each employ at least one male teacher of color to participate in the pilot program. Under the pilot program, the commissioner is to select 19 male students of color from among the institutions of higher education selected for participation in the pilot program and 19 male teachers of color from the school districts, charter schools, or renaissance school projects selected for participation in the pilot program. To be eligible for the program, a student is required to be in the final year of an educator preparation program. The commissioner is required to pair each selected student with a current teacher, who is to serve as the student's mentor through the candidate's last year of the educator preparation program and, if the student is hired for employment in the participating district, charter school, or renaissance school project upon the student's graduation from an educator preparation program, for the first two years of the student's teaching career. A school district, charter school, or renaissance school project that provides mentoring services under the provisions of the amended bill is to conduct a review of the student's performance under the pilot program following completion of the student's final year in an educator preparation program. A school district, charter school, or renaissance school project that provides mentoring services to a student under the pilot program is required to make a good faith effort to hire the student following the student's graduation from an educator preparation program, if the student receives a favorable performance review under the review conducted by the school district, charter school, or renaissance school project. Under the pilot program, a mentor is to receive a stipend of $5,000 for each year of participation in the pilot program. At the conclusion of the pilot program, the commissioner is to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature on the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot program, including the commissioner's recommendation on the advisability of the program's continuation and expansion to additional school districts, charter schools or renaissance school projects, and institutions of higher education in the State. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Education $95,000 to establish the "Male Teachers of Color Mentorship Pilot Program." | In Committee |
| S358 | Concerns railroad safety. | This bill concerns various railroad safety provisions, including requiring: certain actions to be taken if a high hazard train experiences a discharge, limits on train length, and installation and review of wayside detector systems. Following a discharge that requires emergency response action, the owner or operator of a high hazard train is required to meet certain milestones at certain time periods. Under the bill, the owner or operator of a high hazard train is to require at least a two person crew on all high hazard trains. The owner or operator of a high hazard train is to further require that all high hazard trains clearly display the name of the rail company that owns the high hazard train. Whenever, on the basis of available information, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection (commissioner) finds that the owner or operator of a high hazard train is in violation of the provisions this bill, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, the commissioner may levy a civil administrative penalty or bring an action for a civil penalty. The commissioner is authorized to assess a civil administrative penalty of not more than $25,000 for each violation, and each day during which each violation continues will constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. The owner or operator of a high hazard train that experiences a discharge is also subject to penalty and injunctive relief provisions under the "Spill Compensation and Control Act." The bill also prohibits any railroad company, including a short line, from operating any train that exceeds 8,500 feet in length on any main line or branch line, within the State. Any person or railroad company found to be in violation will be liable for a civil penalty of at least $500 but not more than $1,000 per foot over the maximum train length allowed under the bill, though the penalty is increased in instances of gross negligence or repeat violations that cause an imminent hazard of death or injury or has caused death or injury. In accordance with federal regulations, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection is required to, at least annually, request from the United States Secretary of Transportation a copy of the most recent bridge inspection report for every bridge owned by a railroad or upon which a railroad is located. The commissioner is required to submit any bridge inspection report, acquired by the department, to the Governor and Legislature. Under the bill, the Board of Public Utilities (board), in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Transportation is required to work with each railroad company that operates in the State to ensure that wayside detector systems are installed and are operating along railroad tracks on which the railroad operates and to ensure that such systems meet certain standards. If a railroad company refuses to work or otherwise cooperate with the board and the Department of Transportation in good faith, the board and the Department of Transportation are required to investigate the railroad company's safety practices and standards to determine whether the company appears to be in compliance with federal railroad safety standards. If the railroad company does not appear to be in compliance, the board and the Department of Transportation are then required to make a report to the Federal Railroad Administration (administration) detailing the results of the investigation and recommending that the administration take enforcement action in accordance with its authority against the railroad company for the safety violations discovered through the investigation. The bill requires the board and the Department of Transportation to send a copy of the report to the Governor and Legislature. | In Committee |
| S749 | Establishes award of attorney's fees to prevailing party in municipal services dispute. | This bill would establish that attorney's fees may be awarded to the prevailing party in a legal dispute involving the failure of a municipality to provide services, or to pay in lieu of providing services, to qualified private communities under current law. This bill would serve as incentive to settle these costly disputes prior to litigation, and would protect both qualified private communities and municipalities against potentially unnecessary legal conflict. | In Committee |
| S1490 | Converts senior freeze reimbursement into credit applied directly to property tax bills. | This bill would transform the homestead property tax reimbursement program, commonly known as the senior freeze program, from a reimbursement program into a credit program for most eligible homeowners. Currently, eligible seniors and disabled persons may apply for a senior freeze benefit that reimburses them for any property tax increases paid in the prior tax year over and above the amount of property taxes paid in the applicable base year. This bill would allow most of these eligible homeowners to realize these savings in the form of a credit directly applied to reduce the payable amount for their third and fourth quarter property tax bills for the current tax year. Eligible homeowners who reside in a unit in a cooperative, mutual housing corporation, or continuing care retirement community, and who do not pay property taxes directly to the municipality, would receive a rebate payment instead of a credit directly applied to the applicable property tax bill. These rebates would be paid during the current tax year for which the senior freeze benefit is sought so that these homeowners also do not have to wait until the next year to receive their senior freeze benefit. | In Committee |
| S769 | Extends existing plug-in electric vehicle incentives to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. | State law at P.L.2019, c.362 (C.48:25-1 et seq.) currently authorizes the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to offer financial incentives to consumers in the State to encourage their purchase or lease of light duty plug-in electric vehicles. This bill would expand this existing incentive program in order to additionally authorize the BPU to make financial incentives available to consumers to encourage their purchase or lease of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The bill defines "hydrogen fuel cell vehicle" as a zero emission vehicle, as defined in section 11 of P.L.2003, c. 266 (C.54:32B-8.55), that is fueled primarily by hydrogen, but that may also have off-vehicle charge capability. The term would include any passenger car, station wagon, or other motor vehicle that is propelled by power derived from one or more cells that convert chemical energy directly into electricity by combining oxygen with hydrogen fuel. Under the bill's provisions, incentives offered for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are to be limited to a maximum amount of $5,000 per eligible vehicle and are to be calculated in a manner deemed appropriate by the board. Like the light duty plug-in electric vehicle incentives currently offered under the State's vehicle incentive program, the new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle incentives are to be made available under the program until June 30 of the tenth year following the original date of the program's establishment under P.L.2019, c.362. In addition to the new incentives established in the bill, receipts from the sale of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also exempt under existing law, from the State Sales and Use Tax, pursuant to the current exemption for zero emission vehicles established by section 11 of P.L.2003, c.266 (C.54:32B-8.55). | In Committee |
| S187 | Prohibits State Board of Education from limiting number of certain two-year college credits that may be applied towards meeting teacher certification requirements. | This bill prohibits the State Board of Education from limiting the number of professional education credits earned at a regionally accredited two-year college that may be applied towards meeting the requirements for teacher certification, provided that the credits are accepted by a State-approved college professional education preparation program. | In Committee |
| SR35 | Memorializes President and Department of Homeland Security to expedite and prioritize certain immigration applications. | This Assembly Resolution urges the President of the United States and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security to expedite and prioritize immigration applications, green card applications, and other applications for individuals seeking United States citizenship classified as essential during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although it is of national importance to maintain the safety of our citizens through border restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also imperative to ensure those seeking United States citizenship requesting to serve in the healthcare field, and other essential fields, during the Covid-19 crisis receive immediate due process of their applications. This Assembly Resolution salutes the service and sacrifice of these heroes and asks that their desire to become United States citizens be embraced with urgency by our great nation. Duly authenticated copies of this Assembly resolution would be transmitted to the President of the United States and the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security. | In Committee |
| S2016 | Appropriates $70 million in federal funds to EDA to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. | This bill appropriates $70 million in federal funds to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support arts and culture organizations, including for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations, that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the bill, the EDA, in consultation with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (council), would be required to award $50 million in grants to support the financial recovery, resiliency, and growth of qualifying arts and culture organizations. However, of this total, $10 million in grants would be dedicated to arts education organizations that provide programs and services for public schools or afterschool programs. Specifically, these grants may be used to offset any revenue losses that occurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic or provide the cash reserves necessary to ensure continued operations in the event of future pandemic-related shutdowns. Additionally, the bill requires the EDA, in consultation with the council, to award $20 million in grants to qualifying arts and culture organizations to support the completion of placemaking projects in public spaces. Under the bill, placemaking projects would include any creative or artistic project intended to beautify or enrich public spaces, such as artistic paintings on roadways or sidewalks, landscape plantings in public areas, educational signage, and other artistic, cultural, or educational installations. The monies appropriated under the bill would be provided from the State's allocation of funds from the federal "Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund," established pursuant to the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021". | In Committee |
| S261 | Provides for spaying and neutering stray or feral cats and establishes fund therefor; designated as "Compassion for Community Cats Law." | The bill, designated as the "Compassion for Community Cats Law," provides for the spaying and neutering of stray or feral cats. In particular, the bill provides, with limited exceptions, that: (1) no cat may be released for adoption from an animal rescue organization facility, shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound unless the cat has been spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian; and (2) any community cat trapped and impounded at a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound, or trapped and taken to an animal rescue organization facility, must be spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and vaccinated against rabies before being returned to the location where the community cat was trapped or given to a person assuming ownership of the community cat. The spaying and neutering requirements do not apply to a cat or a community cat that: (1) is less than two months old; (2) a licensed veterinarian determines cannot be spayed or neutered for other health reasons affecting the cat; (3) is placed in a foster home or transferred to another shelter, pound, kennel operating as a shelter or pound, or animal rescue organization facility by a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound; or (4) is to be euthanized in accordance with the provisions of section 16 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.16) and R.S.4:22-19, which provide for humanely euthanizing animals after a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound has offered the animal for adoption for at least seven days. The bill authorizes an animal rescue organization facility, shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound to charge the cost of spaying or neutering the cat to the person assuming ownership of the cat. The bill also amends various sections of existing law to allow for the implementation of the new spaying and neutering requirements established by the bill and other provisions of the bill. The bill authorizes the Department of Health (DOH) to adopt regulations necessary to implement grant programs and fund the spaying and neutering requirements established in the bill. The bill establishes the "Compassion for Community Cats Fund" in the DOH to provide grants to municipalities and counties to establish programs to humanely trap community cats, and sterilize, ear-tip, and vaccinate them against rabies, and return each feral cat to the location where the cat was trapped. The "Compassion for Community Cats Fund" is to be credited with the monies collected for violations of the bill, the surcharge on dog licenses imposed by section 1 of P.L.1983, c.181 (C.4:19-15.3c), any moneys appropriated by the Legislature, and any return on investment of moneys deposited in the fund. Finally, the bill repeals sections 2 and 3 of P.L.2011, c.142 (C.4:19-15.30 and 4:19-15.31), known as the "Pet Sterilization Pilot Program." The committee amendments to the bill: (1) correct cross-references and citations in the bill; (2) correct typographical errors in the bill's reproduction of existing statutory text; and (3) delete a statutory reference to a program for aid to families with dependent children that was replaced by the Work First New Jersey program pursuant to P.L.1997, c.38. | In Committee |
| S791 | Permits sale of certain alcoholic beverages at convenience stores. | This bill establishes the restricted convenience store license to permit the sale of beer and wine at convenience stores. Under the bill, a license holder is entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell beer and wine in connection with the operation of a convenience store for consumption off the licensed premises and in original containers. The holder of the license is required to ensure that a minimum of 20 percent of the alcoholic beverage products displayed for retail sale are products manufactured in this State by the holder of a limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, plenary winery license, farm winery license, or cidery and meadery license. Under the bill, a municipality that prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages within its borders may establish by ordinance or resolution that no restricted convenience store license will be granted within the municipality. Additionally, the bill provides that the population limit in current law concerning the number of retail distribution licenses that may be issued in a municipality is not applicable to restricted convenience store licenses. The bill provides that the licenses are to be issued by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and may be renewed annually. The initial issuance fee is $5,000 and the renewal fee is $1,000. The bill provides that 25 percent of the initial issuance fee will be allocated to the director, with the remaining 75 percent allocated to the municipality in which the licensed premises is located. The annual renewal fee will be divided equally between the division and the municipal governing body The bill defines "convenience store" as a retail establishment that has a minimum gross square footage of 800 and maximum square footage of 5,000 and at which the principal and primary business is the sale of groceries and other foodstuffs for primarily off-premises consumption and may also include the sale of household items, tobacco products, lottery tickets, and motor fuel. | In Committee |
| S776 | Requires carriers to offer health care providers more than one method of payment for reimbursement. | This bill provides that any network agreement between a carrier, or the carrier's contracted vendor, and a health care provider for the provision of health or dental care services is prohibited from mandating only one form of payment to the health care provider. A carrier, or the carrier's vendor, is also prohibited from restricting the method of payment to an out-of-network health care provider providing out-of-network covered services to only one form of payment. The bill also requires a carrier, or the carrier's contracted vendor, to provide certain information to a health care provider, prior to initiating its first payment to the health care provider, where one of the available payment methods includes a fee and before changing the available payment methods. The bill prohibits a carrier from using a health care provider's preferred method of payment as a factor when deciding whether to provide credentials to a health care provider. | Dead |
| S764 | Updates regulation home improvement and home elevation contractors and contractors' businesses. | This bill establishes a board to govern licensed contractors in the home improvement and home elevation industries. The bill also updates current law to oversee the registration of home improvement and home elevation contractors' businesses. Additionally, under the bill, a new level of licensure is created to allow an individual to provide services in a limited specialty of home improvement. The board is to establish specific requirements, which may include passage of an exam, for the specialty services licensees. Moreover, with board membership, the Governor has until the first day of the sixth month after enactment of the bill to appoint members. The board is to meet within 60 days after the appointment of the members. Rules and regulations are to be promulgated for specific provisions of the substitute prior to it being fully operative but a set time in which to promulgate the rules and regulations is updated to align with the effective date of the substitute, which is to be fully operative on the first day of the twenty-fifth month after the date of enactment. Added as part of the board's responsibilities is the requirement that if a license of a contractor at any level - principal, limited, or regular home improvement or home elevation - is not renewed or is suspended or revoked, the board is to notify the Division of Consumer Affairs so that the division is aware and ensures that the individual with the encumbered license does not impact the registration of the business that employs the individual. Moreover, the board is to establish standards for the scopes of practice for each type of licensee it oversees and for the supervision of licensees, except for those at the principal level. Additionally, the board is to develop curriculum for or to identify courses in which an applicant can enroll to prepare for examinations. Under the bill, licensure as either a home improvement or home elevation contractor can be achieved through completion of an apprenticeship or through experience. If applying through the experience option, an individual is to perform services subject to the direct oversight of a contractor, include the name of the home improvement or home elevations business for whom the individual worked on the application, and is to attest, as part of the application, that, when performing contracting services, industry best practices where adhered to and standard procedures were followed in a safe and healthy manner. This bill stipulates that individuals, including limited specialty services licensees, are subject to fines if it is determined that an individual made false statements in connection with the process to obtain licensure. It is also prohibited in the bill to falsely advertise, including through electronic media, regarding qualifications of an individual to provide contracting services. Additionally, the bill specifies individuals exempt from licensure. The exemption includes individuals who provide home improvement services but earn a maximum of $1,500 per contract and $25,000 annually. An individual exempted under these maximum amounts is to still subject to the requirement to maintain annual registration, to be handled by the Division of Consumer Affairs rather than the board. However, a party exempted pursuant to these maximum dollar amounts will be required to obtain licensure by the board if, at the time of annual registration renewal, the earnings of the individual demonstrate that the dollar amounts increased in the previous calendar year. The bill also requires the board to establish the process by which a limited specialty services licensee can obtain full licensure as a home improvement or home elevation contractor. This bill preserves and updates most provisions in current law that govern the registration requirements and process for contractors' businesses. It also stipulates that a contractor business is to employ at least one licensed contractor. This bill updates language on the oversight of home improvement and home elevation businesses by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Language is added throughout the current law to ensure that its provisions apply to the contractors' businesses. This includes incorporating the provisions requiring general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and either a bond, letter of credit, or other type of security. Language is also added to require certain contracts for home improvement services to include the name and license number of the contractor providing the services and the registration number of the business for which the contractor provides services. Additionally, the division is to notify the board when a contractor business has its registration suspended, revoked or not renewed. | Dead |
| S289 | Designates and preserves Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park as natural habitat. | This bill would designate as natural habitat and preserve the 21.5 acre Caven Point Peninsula. Caven Point Peninsula is an estuarine ecosystem for plants and animals, critical bird breeding habitat, and urban environmental education resource. The peninsula is located in Liberty State Park, in Jersey City, Hudson County, and stretches into the Upper New York Bay. | In Committee |
| S2241 | Extends child care subsidies to families earning up to 300 percent of federal poverty level; appropriates funds. | This bill raises the annual household income limit for determining initial income eligibility under the State's subsidized child care assistance program. Currently, initial eligibility determination in the State's subsidized child care assistance program is limited to families that report a maximum annual gross family income of 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is $55,500 for a family of four in 2022. However, according to the most recent ALICE Report by the United Ways of New Jersey, the average ALICE - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed - Household Survival Budget in the State was $88,224 for a family of four in 2018. In 2018, 37 percent of New Jersey's 3.2 million households struggled to make ends meet, with 27 percent of these households categorized as ALICE households. This bill raises the maximum initial income eligibility, and subsequent redetermination income eligibility, for the State's subsidized child care assistance program to 300 percent of the FPL, which is $83,250 for a family of four in 2022. The Commissioner of Human Services will be required to establish and utilize at least four tiers to determine initial income eligibility and placement on the Division of Family Development's co-payment schedule for child care services under the State's subsidized child care assistance program. The bill specifies that nothing in its provisions precludes the commissioner from establishing a child care assistance income threshold that is higher than 300 percent of the FPL. The bill additionally appropriates such sums as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill, which appropriation will be in an amount determined by the Commissioner of Human Services, subject to approval by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Department of the Treasury. | In Committee |
| S1489 | Imposes requirements on video visitation service contracts for inmates in certain correctional facilities; requires correctional facilities to allow contact visits. | This bill imposes requirements on video visitation service contracts for inmates in State, county, and private correctional facilities and requires correctional facilities to allow inmates to have contact visits. Under the provisions of this bill, the State Treasurer or other appropriate person on behalf of the county or private correctional facility is to contract with a vendor who charges a per minute rate for video visitation, including video visitation that is accessed by visitors from a location other than a correctional facility, which is not to exceed 11 cents per minute and who is the lowest responsible bidder. A vendor is not to bill any service charge or additional fee exceeding the per minute rate. The bill also provides that a State, county, or private correctional facility is not permitted to receive a commission or impose a surcharge for video visitation usage by inmates in addition to the charges imposed by the service provider. Further, under the bill, the contract is to include a term that requires monetary penalties to be imposed on a vendor who does not maintain consistent and reliable quality of the video visitation service. In addition, a video visitation service provider is required to refund, in a timely manner, any charges imposed: (1) for a scheduled video visitation that does not occur for any reason other than the fault of the visitor; or (2) any video visitation in which communication between the inmate and the visitor is substantially impaired due to low quality audio or video. The bill prohibits a State, county, or private correctional facility from imposing a charge for video visitation between an inmate and the inmate's attorney, a representative of the attorney, or a member of the clergy. In addition, correctional facilities are required to allow inmates to have contact visits with approved visitors and may only impose reasonable conditions necessary for safety and security within the correctional facility. Finally, correctional facilities are required to implement reasonable visiting hours for both contact visits and video visitation. | In Committee |
| S1961 | Provides for presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services and services provided through program of all-inclusive care for the elderly under Medicaid. | This bill requires the Department of Human Services (department) to provide for the presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services, nursing home services, and the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) under Medicaid for an individual who is: seeking home and community-based services, nursing home care or PACE enrollment; awaiting an eligibility determination for Medicaid and any applicable Medicaid waiver program offering home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE; and likely to be financially and clinically eligible for Medicaid and any applicable Medicaid waiver program offering home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE as determined by the department. The department will provide Medicaid coverage for eligible home and community-based services, nursing home services, services provided through PACE to an individual who is granted presumptive eligibility. Coverage will begin upon the receipt of an individual's request for services and will end if the individual is determined clinically or financially ineligible for home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE under Medicaid during the eligibility determination process. An individual seeking presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE under Medicaid will be required to submit a request to the department in a manner and form as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner). An individual granted presumptive eligibility will be required to submit a completed application for Medicaid and any applicable Medicaid waiver program offering home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE no later than the end of the month following the month in which presumptive eligibility is granted. The department will provide each individual granted presumptive eligibility pursuant to this bill a written notice explaining the terms and conditions of presumptive eligibility and the home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE that the individual will be eligible to receive. A home and community-based services provider, nursing home facility, or PACE center is to be reimbursed for all Medicaid-eligible services rendered to an individual who has been granted presumptive eligibility, regardless of whether the individual granted presumptive eligibility is determined clinically or financially ineligible for home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE under Medicaid during the eligibility determination process. The commissioner will apply for such State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill and to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. | Dead |
| S1592 | Adopts State definition of Islamophobia for certain civil and criminal purposes. | This bill adopts the first-ever State definition of Islamophobia in New Jersey and in the nation. Attacks on persons who are Muslim or perceived to be Muslim have grown significantly since September 11, 2001. From 2014 to 2019, there were 10,015 anti-Muslim bias incidents, which included 1,164 anti-Muslim hate crimes. This rise in Islamophobic sentiment is widely acknowledged by the American people, as a 2019 study by Pew found that most American adults (82%) say that Muslims are subject to at least some discrimination in the United States today. According to the FBI, approximately 19% of religion-based incidents from 2015-2019 were against Muslims, who make up only about 1% of the United States population. Furthermore, the United States Attorney General has commented that since September 11, 2001, the Justice Department has led more than 1,000 investigations into "anti-Muslim hatred" acts and bigoted behavior that have led to more than 45 prosecutions. According to a 2017 Pew Poll, while perceptions of religious groups improved overall in 2017, Muslims rated most negatively of all religious groups, scoring a 48 out of 100. New Jersey ranked among the top 10 states for anti-mosque incidents according to the ACLU, including multiple incidents against Muslim persons and Muslim institutions. This bill provides a State definition of Islamophobia modeled in part after the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which is composed of British Parliament Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Awareness of this definition of Islamophobia will increase understanding of the parameters of contemporary Islamophobia crime and discrimination. Under the bill, the definition of Islamophobia in the bill would not include any criticism of any Muslim-majority country similar to that leveled against any other country. The bill provides that in reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any policy, law, or regulation prohibiting discriminatory acts under the civil or criminal laws of this State, a public official or law enforcement officer is required to take into consideration the definition of Islamophobia contained in this bill for the purposes of determining whether the alleged act was motivated by Islamophobia and discriminatory anti-Muslim intent. Nothing contained in this bill is to be construed 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, and nothing in this bill is to be construed to conflict with local, State, or federal anti-discrimination laws or regulations. | In Committee |
| S1643 | Makes $250,000 supplemental appropriation to New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders for pediatric clinical services at Tourette Syndrome Clinic of Rutgers University. | This FY 2024 supplemental appropriation provides $250,000 to the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS) to support diagnostic assessments and counseling services for children at the Tourette Syndrome Clinic of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The clinic, established jointly by the NJCTS and the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), provides psychological assessments, social-emotional skills groups, and individual and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults with Tourette Syndrome. The clinic offers sliding scale rates for services delivered to individuals and families with demonstrated financial need. According to a 2022 data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 50 children between the ages of five and 14 years have a persistent tic disorder, including Tourette Syndrome. | In Committee |
| S762 | Establishes penalty on planned real estate development association for failure to provide association members timely access to certain meeting minutes. | This bill would provide the Commissioner of Community Affairs with the authority to impose a penalty on the association of a planned real estate development for failing to make executive board meeting minutes available to the association members in compliance with the existing requirements of the 1993 supplement to "The Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act", P.L.1993, c.30 (C.45:22A-43 et seq.). A penalty imposed by the commissioner pursuant to this bill would not exceed $2,000 per meeting for which the minutes were not made available to one or more association members. Under existing law, the association of a planned real estate development is required to make minutes of the proceedings of executive board meetings available to all association members prior to the next open meeting. The meetings subject to this existing requirement consist of all executive board meetings required to be open to all association members, and voting-eligible tenants where applicable. A planned real estate development is a term defined in the "The Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act," P.L.1977, c.419 (C.45:22A-21 et seq.) to encompass communities governed by homeowners' associations, condominiums, and cooperative communities. | In Committee |
| S285 | Permits application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained after January 2003 while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership. | This bill allows a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to apply for accidental disability benefits based upon an injury sustained while employed temporarily at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, any other State psychiatric institution or any State correctional facility, which injury continues to be disabling after the person becomes a PERS member. Temporary public employees are not eligible for PERS membership until the employment becomes permanent or the passage of one year, whichever occurs first. Currently, persons employed temporarily at any State psychiatric institution or any State correctional facility who are injured while ineligible for PERS membership are eligible for workers compensation benefits only. They are not eligible for PERS accidental disability benefits even after attaining PERS member status because the injury occurred when not a PERS member. The bill provides that, for purposes of application for a PERS accidental disability benefit, a traumatic event (1) occurring during and as a result of the performance of a State employee's regular or assigned duties as, but not limited to, a doctor, nurse, healthcare worker, social worker, or correction officer caring for or guarding individuals who are permanently or temporarily incarcerated for any reason at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, any other State psychiatric institution or any State correctional facility and (2) occurring when the employee is employed temporarily and not yet eligible for membership in the retirement system will be deemed as occurring during membership, if the employee becomes a member of the retirement system without interruption in that employment. The bill's provisions would apply retroactively to January 1, 2003. In addition, the bill also adds to the duties of the Civil Service Commission a personnel orientation program that informs new employees of State psychiatric institutions and State correctional facilities of the risk of injury occurring during and as a result of the performance of their regular or assigned duties. | In Committee |
| SR36 | Urges Congress to establish national infrastructure bank. | This resolution respectfully urges Congress to pass H.R.3339, establishing a national infrastructure bank. American infrastructure is in dire need of investment, as outlined by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Increasing frequency of extreme weather events further strains infrastructure approaching the end of its useful life. In New Jersey alone, less than 30 percent of the roads and bridges are in good condition. As host to a large portion of the northeast corridor, New Jersey moves national and international trade, and millions of people each day along deteriorating structures. Nationally, broadband access, modernization of the energy grid, and remediation of the water supply systems are of paramount importance. Economic vitality, national security, public safety and quality of life, are dependent on sound infrastructure. Current funding mechanisms do not address the scope of the need. Direct competitors of the United States rely on an infrastructure funding method invented and previously used by America. H.R.3339 addresses funding shortfalls for large, innovative infrastructure projects by establishing a national infrastructure bank, perpetually generating funds in a manner similar to a commercial bank. A dedicated, regenerative, nonpartisan funding mechanism is required to remedy inadequacies in our energy grid, transportation and other systems, in addition to preparing us for a future of increasing extreme weather conditions. | In Committee |
| S773 | Allows DOE to postpone New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum in certain circumstances. | This bill allows the Commissioner of Education to postpone the comprehensive review under the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) for one school year for any school district in which a school or schools of the district have been damaged, destroyed, or lost as a result of a disaster or a hazardous weather event. Also under the bill, a board of education seeking to postpone the NJQSAC due to damage to a school building as a result of a disaster or hazardous weather event will pass a resolution directing the superintendent to request the postponement. Upon receipt of the request, the Commissioner of Education will have 15 business days to grant or deny the request. The NJQSAC is the State's monitoring and district self-evaluation system for public school districts. The goal of the NJQSAC is to ensure that all school districts are operating at a high level of performance. | In Committee |
| S2138 | Establishes bribery in official and political matters applies to person soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept benefit as consideration to act even though not yet in office or otherwise qualified to act. | This bill would authorize municipalities to adopt or amend their ordinances allowing for short-term tax exemptions and abatements in areas in need of rehabilitation to allow a subsequent purchaser of a dwelling located within an area in need of rehabilitation to submit an application for a short-term tax exemption or abatement for improvements that were made to the dwelling by the prior owner. The bill would also require the owner of a dwelling located in an area in which short-term tax exemptions and abatements are allowed, which owner has completed improvements to the dwelling, but has not submitted an application to the assessor for a tax exemption or abatement, to provide notice to that effect to the subsequent purchaser of the dwelling at the time of entering into a contract of sale for the dwelling. Current law requires applications for exemptions or abatements to be submitted to the assessor within 30 days of completion of improvements. This bill will allow municipalities that adopt ordinances providing for short-term tax exemptions and abatements for improvements to dwellings to provide that, in the event a claimant has not filed an application with the assessor within 30 days following the completion of improvements to a dwelling, a purchaser of the dwelling may file an application with the assessor within the later of one year of the date of completion of the improvements, or within one year of the date of the purchase of the dwelling. This will provide the subsequent purchaser of a dwelling, in municipalities allowing it, a window of opportunity to submit an application for an exemption or abatement which, if granted, will provide the new owner a period of time to take appropriate action based upon this financial obligation. | In Committee |
| S748 | Confers civil service status on police officers employed by Rutgers University. | This bill provides that police officers employed in the Division of Public Safety of Rutgers, the State University, will be in the career service of the civil service and subject to the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes. It also provides that any police officer who has been so employed for at least one year prior to the bill's effective date will have permanent career status, with seniority awarded from the date of appointment. | In Committee |
| S785 | Allows customer choice of NJ E-ZPass automatic replenishment amount. | This bill requires any contract entered into or renewed between an administrator of electronic toll collection and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) or the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to include an option for a customer to select an automatic replenishment amount. Under this bill, the NJTA and SJTA are required to ensure this option is available. A New Jersey E-ZPass customer is to have the choice to select from multiple pre-determined automatic replenishment amounts for an individual account or to choose the customer's own automatic replenishment amount. The customer is also to have the ability to change the automatic replenishment amount at any time. NJTA and SJTA are required to publish information concerning a customer's ability to choose and change an automatic replenishment amount on the authorities' websites. | In Committee |
| S58 | Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions. | The bill grants a property tax exemption to honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability in proportion to their disability percentage rating. The exemption is only granted to those with a disability percentage rating of at least 30 percent, and the exemption is capped at $10,000. Those with a 100 percent disability percentage rating would still be allowed a 100 percent property tax exemption without a cap, as is the case under current law. In addition, the bill grants those honorably discharged veterans having less than a 100 percent service-connected disability, but who are unemployable, a 100 percent property tax exemption, which matches the current 100 percent property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a 100 percent disability percentage rating. As under current law, the bill allows the 100 percent property tax exemption to extend to the surviving spouse of a veteran. However, the newly allowed property tax exemption for a veteran with a less than 100 percent property tax exemption would not extend to the surviving spouse. The bill also eliminates all references to medical conditions so that any service-connected disability, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, will make a veteran eligible for the property tax exemption. Finally, the bill proclaims that the State shall annually reimburse taxing districts, including for administrative costs, for the property tax exemptions granted to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The bill includes reporting provisions so proper reimbursement can be made. | In Committee |
| S2081 | Requires board of education to directly employ certain professionals; permits board of education to contract for certain personnel; permits use of virtual or remote instruction for public school students in certain circumstances. | This bill requires a board of education to directly employ certain professionals and permits a board of education to contract for certain personnel. This bill also permits the use of virtual or remote instruction for public school students in certain circumstances. Under the bill, a board of education, generally defined as the board of education of any local school district, consolidated school district, regional school district, county vocational school, and any other board of education or other similar body, the board of directors of an educational services commission, and the administrative board of a renaissance school project or any other local education agency, is required to directly employ all persons performing any duty, function, service, assignment, or job requiring an appropriate certificate issued by the State Board of Examiners for, or on behalf of, a board of education. Additionally, the bill permits a board of education to contract with personnel to ensure required programs and services are provided and are not required to directly employ the personnel, provided that the personnel hold an applicable certificate. Under the bill, the personnel include: (1) a substitute teacher; (2) personnel providing instruction in financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy to satisfy graduation requirements; (3) personnel providing educational services to a student who is enrolled in a school other than a public school; (4) personnel employed by other boards of education and providing services under a shared services or joint agreement; (5) personnel providing individualized student learning opportunities; and (6) personnel providing special education and related services to a student who is enrolled in an out-of-district placement. Additionally, the bill permits a board of education to contract for additional services provided that the personnel holds an applicable certificate on a non-emergency basis and the board contracts with specific entities. Under the bill, these services include (1) independent child study team evaluations; (2) child study team services to supplement existing district services; (3) home instruction; (4) speech-language services in certain circumstances; and (5) related services, provided that certified occupational therapy assistants, others employed in a supportive role to licensed certified providers of related services, physical therapy assistants, and specialists in behavior modification meet additional requirements, as specified in the bill. The bill also permits an approved private school for students with disabilities to contract for certain services, provided that the personnel holds an applicable certificate on a non-emergency basis and the approved private school for students with disabilities contracts with specific entities. Under the bill, these services include speech-language services and related services, provided that certified occupational therapy assistants, others employed in a supportive role to licensed certified providers of related services, physical therapy assistants, and specialists in behavior modification meet additional requirements, as specified in the bill. The bill also requires instructional services provided by a school district, including a charter school or a renaissance school project, to be delivered through in-person methods unless otherwise permitted by State law. Additionally, the bill permits a school district to utilize individualized virtual or remote instruction for a student when equivalent instruction cannot be provided through in-person instruction, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education and establishes an application process for a school district to apply for individualized virtual or remote instruction for a student. Under the bill, the commissioner is required to establish a process for notifying an individual currently providing the instructional services which are being sought to be implemented virtually or remotely, and the majority representative of the district's employees of the submission of an application and provide them with a copy of the application and notice of the right to object to, or comment on, the application prior to the commissioner's determination. Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to establish a process to notify a school district, any individual currently providing the instructional services which are being sought to be implemented virtually or remotely, and the majority representative of the district's employees regarding a determination on the request for virtual or remote instruction and a procedure for a school district to them to appeal the determination. The bill also permits a board of education, as part of the district's implementation of school graduation requirements for a State-endorsed diploma to provide instruction in financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy by virtual or remote instruction, either in whole or in part. Finally, the bill specifies that individualized student learning opportunities that meet or exceed the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for students in grades nine through 12 include (1) independent study, (2) study abroad programs, (3) student exchange programs, (4) credit recovery programs; and (5) structured learning experiences, including, but not limited to, work-based programs, internships, apprenticeships, and service-learning experiences. Under the bill, the board is to determine if an individualized student learning opportunity may be completed by virtual or remote instruction, either in whole or in part. Pursuant to the bill, individualized student learning opportunities are required to apply toward the credit requirement for a State-endorsed diploma established under State Board of Education regulations. | In Committee |
| SCR39 | Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing statute transferring probation functions from Judiciary to State Parole Board. | This Concurrent Resolution proposes to amend the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature to enact a statute to establish a Bureau of Probation in the State Parole Board. The constitutional amendment transfers all of the functions, powers, duties, and responsibilities concerning probation, and the probation officers and other professional supervisors, case workers, and case-related employees who perform probation functions from the Judiciary to this new Bureau of Probation. Under this proposed constitutional amendment, existing contractual terms and conditions would remain unchanged, as would the status of exclusive employee bargaining representatives. The units and contracts, as well as the contract representatives, would be continued in the Bureau of Probation. In 2001, the Legislature enacted a law (P.L.2001, c.362; C.2B:10A-1 et al.) to establish a "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit" consisting of at least 200 probation officers authorized to carry a firearm in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (17) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:39-6 and regulations adopted by the Attorney General. The legislation also granted these probation officers the authority to arrest probationers, enforce the criminal laws of this State, and enforce warrants for the apprehension and arrest of probationers who violate conditions of probation. In April 2006, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that P.L.2001, c.362 (C.2B:10A-1 et al.) was unconstitutional because it violated the separation of powers doctrine. The court stated that it is the responsibility of the Judiciary to define the duties of probation officers. The court also reiterated its position that probation officers are not law enforcement officers, but impartial agents of the Judiciary. | In Committee |
| S771 | Directs installation of hydrogen refueling stations at service areas on State's toll roads. | This bill directs the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority to equip service areas along the toll roads under their jurisdictions with hydrogen refueling stations that would fuel hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The authorities are directed to recover costs associated with the refueling stations from motorists who use the stations, in proportion to the motorists' use. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electrically powered and they produce only water vapor as an emission. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles typically have a longer range than battery-powered electric vehicles and they can be refueled in approximately the same time and manner as a gasoline-powered vehicle. This bill would encourage New Jersey residents to purchase hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by ensuring that there are facilities available to refuel them. | In Committee |
| S1648 | Expands categories of individuals who may bring a claim under wrongful imprisonment statute. | This bill expands the categories of individuals who may bring a claim under the wrongful imprisonment statute, P.L.1997, c.227 (C.52:4C-1 et. seq.). The bill also provides a two-year window during which persons who were ineligible to bring a civil action for wrongful imprisonment may bring an action for damages. Currently, any person who has been convicted and subsequently imprisoned for a crime which he did not commit and for which he did not plead guilty may bring a civil action for damages against the Department of Treasury. This bill would allow a person who was wrongfully convicted of a crime and subsequently wrongfully civilly committed as a "sexually violent predator" in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1998, c.71 (C.30:4-27.24 et al.) to also bring an action for wrongful imprisonment. In addition, any person who entered a guilty plea and was subsequently imprisoned could also bring an action. Statute of Limitations The bill also clarifies the time frame within which an action may be brought. The bill provides that a person may bring a civil action within two years after his conviction is vacated or dismissed, or his release from prison, State supervision including parole, probation, civil commitment, sexual offender registration, or after he has been pardoned, whichever is later. In addition, it provides that any person who has had his conviction vacated, dismissed, or is released from imprisonment, State supervision including parole, probation, civil commitment as a "sexually violent predator" in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1998, c.71 (C.30:4-27.24 et al.), sex offender registration or pardoned on or after December 27, 2013 would have two years from the effective date of this bill to file a suit. Damages In 2013 the Legislature increased the statutory damages amounts awarded in wrongful imprisonment civil actions pursuant to P.L.2013, c.171. Currently, damages cannot exceed twice the amount of the claimant's income in the year prior to the claimant's incarceration or $50,000 for each year of incarceration, whichever is greater. (The 2013 amendment increased the amount from $20,000 to $50,000). The bill does not change this measurement between the greater of income in the year prior to the claimant's incarceration or the total per year amount for each year of incarceration. Instead it adds time spent in civil commitment as a "sexually violent predator." The bill also expands the provisions of the statute to allow for an additional recovery of $25,000 for each year served on State supervision, including parole, probation or as a registered sex offender. Therefore, under the bill damages include (1) twice the amount of the claimant's income in the year prior to his incarceration or civil commitment as a "sexually violent predator"; or (2) $50,000 for each year of incarceration or civil commitment, whichever is greater, and (3) $25,000 for each year served on parole, on probation, or as a registered sex offender after a period of incarceration. In the event that damages exceed $1 million the court could order that the award be paid in an annuity with a payout over a maximum period of 20 years. Applicability Provision Since the amount of recovery was increased in 2013 by section 6 of P.L.2013, c.171 and applied to a claimant released from imprisonment or granted a pardon on or after the effective date of the 2013 enactment, the bill provides a tiered applicability provision to clarify the damages provision. The provisions of P.L.1997, c.227 (C.52:4C-1 et al.) and P.L.2013, c.171 would apply to any claimant released from imprisonment, or granted a pardon on or after the effective date of P.L.2013, c.171 which is December 27, 2013. The provisions of this bill would apply to any claimant whose conviction was vacated or dismissed, or who was released from imprisonment, parole, probation, civil commitment as a "sexually violent predator" or removed from the sex offender registry, or granted a pardon on or after December 27, 2013, the effective date of P.L.2013, c.171, and who has not previously been awarded damages. Such a claimant would have two years from the effective date of this bill to bring an action for damages. And finally, a person who was previously ineligible to bring a civil action for damages under section 3 of P.L.1997, c.227 (C.52:4C-3) or section 6 of P.L.2013, c.171 on grounds that the person pled guilty to the crime for which he was convicted would have two years from the effective date of the bill to bring a civil action for damages.Public Defender- Lien on Property of Defendant The bill would also amend section 17 of P.L.1967, c.43 (C.2A:158A-17) to add the cross reference to section 6 of P.L.2013, c.171 (C.52:4C-7). This section was amended by the 2013 enactment to clarify that the public defender would discharge any lien for services rendered concerning a crime where the defendant is awarded damages pursuant to the wrong imprisonment statute. | In Committee |
| S2275 | Directs BPU to establish program concerning renewable natural gas; provides gas public utilities with customer rate recovery mechanism for costs associated with program. | This bill directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a program to encourage the procurement of renewable natural gas and investment in renewable natural gas infrastructure by a gas public utility (utility). The bill establishes portfolio targets for the distribution of renewable natural gas to the utility's retail natural gas customers in the State, for energy years 2022 through 2050. The portfolio target begins as a target of up to five percent in each of the energy years 2022 through 2024, and increases up to 30 percent in each of the energy years 2045 through 2050. The bill defines "renewable natural gas" as the following products, processed to meet pipeline quality standards or transportation fuel grade requirements: 1) biogas that meets natural gas pipeline quality standards such that it may blend with, or substitute for, geologic natural gas; 2) hydrogen gas derived from Class I renewable energy or Class II renewable energy; or 3) methane gas derived from any combination of biogas, hydrogen gas, or carbon oxides derived from renewable energy sources, or waste carbon dioxide. The bill requires the BPU to adopt a ratemaking mechanism that ensures the recovery of and on all prudently incurred costs that contribute to a utility's meeting the program's renewable natural gas portfolio targets established in the bill. Under a ratemaking mechanism adopted by the BPU by means of a periodic rate recovery mechanism: 1) any BPU-approved qualified investment and operating cost associated with a qualified investment that contributes to a utility's meeting the program's requirements may be recovered from ratepayers; and 2) any BPU-approved cost of procurement of renewable natural gas from a third party, including from an affiliate of the utility, that contributes to the utility meeting the program's requirements may be recovered from ratepayers. When a utility makes a qualified investment, the costs associated with the qualified investment are to include the cost of capital established in the utility's most recent rate case as well as other incremental costs associated with those qualified investments. The bill requires that when a utility procures renewable natural gas from a third party, the utility is to purchase the renewable natural gas supply at prices and on terms consistent with market conditions in the market for renewable natural gas. A charge assessed to customers for the supply of renewable natural gas is to be regulated by the BPU and be based on the cost to the utility of providing that supply, including the cost of renewable natural gas commodity and capacity, purchased at prices consistent with market conditions in the market for renewable natural gas, and related ancillary and administrative costs. If a utility's total incremental annual cost to meet the requirements of the renewable natural gas program exceeds five percent of the utility's total revenue requirement for an individual year, the utility is no longer authorized to make additional qualified investments under the renewable natural gas program for that year without the approval of the BPU. The bill provides that the total incremental annual cost to meet the portfolio targets of the program are to account for: 1) any value received by the utility upon any resale of renewable natural gas, including any environmental credits that the renewable natural gas producer chooses to include with the sale of the renewable natural gas to the utility; and 2) any savings achieved through avoidance of conventional gas purchases or development, such as avoided pipeline costs or carbon costs. The bill allows the BPU to permit a utility to exceed the program's portfolio targets and, in that instance, the remaining provisions of the bill are to continue to apply. | In Committee |
| S779 | Authorizes provision of comprehensive health care coverage to certain undocumented immigrants and children. | This bill extends comprehensive NJ FamilyCare coverage to pregnant undocumented immigrants, and their dependent children up to the age of one year, who reside in the State and do not qualify for such coverage under existing law. Pregnant undocumented individuals would be eligible for full NJ FamilyCare benefits through the end of the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the individual's pregnancy. Under existing State and federal law, undocumented immigrants may receive Medicaid coverage only for care and services necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition, which federal statute defines as including emergency labor and delivery. The bill defines "undocumented immigrant" as an immigrant who resides in the State, but is unable to document the immigrant's status as an eligible alien, as defined in the State's Medicaid statute, or to demonstrate that the immigrant is lawfully present in the United States. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Human Services to attempt to maximize federal financial participation for the provision of comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits for pregnant undocumented immigrants and their dependent children under the age of one year; the bill would remain inoperable until the commissioner receives a determination of federal financial participation regarding the bill's provisions. If federal matching funds are not available, comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits for this new eligibility group would commence upon the appropriation of State funds designated for this purpose. The bill additionally stipulates that comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits will be provided to this new eligibility group only to the extent allowable under federal statute. | In Committee |
| S770 | Prohibits false or secret compartments in motor vehicles under certain circumstances. | This bill would make it a crime for a person to possess, design or assemble a false or secret compartment in a motor vehicle with the intent to store, conceal, smuggle or transport a person, controlled dangerous substance, firearm, weapon or other contraband. Under the provisions of the bill, it would be a crime of the third degree for a person, acting with an unlawful purpose, to knowingly own, operate or possess a motor vehicle which contains a false or secret compartment with the intent to store, conceal, smuggle or transport a controlled dangerous substance, firearm or weapon within the false compartment. It would be a crime of the second degree for a person, acting with an unlawful purpose, to knowingly design, assemble, construct, build, alter, fabricate, attach, fortify, install, place, cause to be placed or maintain a false compartment in a motor vehicle with the intent to store, conceal, smuggle or transport a controlled dangerous substance, firearm or weapon within the false compartment. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to ten 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 provides that it would not be a defense that the false or secret compartment was inoperable or was not actually triggered, or that its existence or location was known to a law enforcement officer or another person. The bill defines a "false or secret compartment" as any box, container, space or enclosure that is intended or designed to be used to conceal, hide, and prevent discovery of a person, controlled dangerous substance, firearm, weapon or other contraband within or attached to a motor vehicle, including but not limited to, any of the following: (1) false, altered or modified fuel tanks; (2) original factory equipment of a vehicle that is modified, altered or changed; or (3) compartment, space, or box that is added to or fabricated, made or created from existing compartments, spaces or boxes within a vehicle. The bill provides that a person's intention to use a false or secret compartment to conceal the contents of the compartment from a law enforcement officer may be inferred from factors including, but not limited to, the discovery of a person, controlled dangerous substance, firearm, weapon or other contraband within the false or secret compartment, or from the discovery of evidence of the previous placement of a person, controlled dangerous substance, firearm, weapon or other contraband within the false or secret compartment. In addition, the bill would provide that any vehicle containing a false or secret compartment and any items within that compartment would be subject to forfeiture and could be seized by the State or any law enforcement officer in accordance with the provisions of the forfeiture law in N.J.S.A.2C:64-1 et seq. The bill would also provide that the sentence imposed for violating the provisions of the bill would not merge with a conviction of any other criminal offense, or for conspiring or attempting to violate any other criminal offense. The court would be required to impose separate sentences upon each violation of this section and any other criminal offense. | In Committee |
| S233 | Establishes NJ Wind Institute for Innovation and Training. | This bill would establish the New Jersey Wind Institute for Innovation and Training (institute). The institute would be governed by a board consisting of nine members, as follows: the Governor, the President of the Board of Public Utilities, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the Secretary of Higher Education, and the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, or their designees; and three public members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The public members would have relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: workforce development; organized labor; education, research and innovation; clean energy or offshore wind development; environmental protection; or diversity and inclusion. The institute would be charged with: (1) designing, establishing, and implementing workforce development, education, research, and innovation programs and initiatives that advance the State's offshore wind industry and associated clean energy goals; (2) collaborating with State agencies and other instrumentalities that include, but are not limited to, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Board of Public Utilities, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology; (3) engaging with, collaborating, and coordinating efforts among offshore wind stakeholders, including but not limited to industry, State and federal agencies, regional partners, public and private institutions of primary, secondary, and higher education, labor groups, environmental groups, and environmental justice organizations in order to advance offshore wind workforce development, education, research, and innovation; and (4) promoting, supporting, and funding offshore wind workforce development, education, research, and innovation efforts, including issuing requests for proposals or requests for qualifications, awarding grants or loans to private companies, private or public organizations, or individuals, entering into agreements and contracts, and entering into public-private partnerships. The institute would be headed by an executive director, who would receive compensation without regard for Title 11A of the Revised Statutes. The executive director would be responsible, among other things, for hiring staff for the institute who would also receive compensation without regard for Title 11A of the Revised Statutes. Under the bill, no action taken at meetings held by the board would have force or effect until approved by the Governor or until 10 days after a copy of the minutes have been delivered. If, in this 10-day period, the Governor returns the copy of the minutes with a veto of any action taken by the board or any member thereof at the meeting, the action would have no effect. The bill authorizes the Governor to approve all or part of an action taken prior to the expiration of the 10-day period. The bill would delegate to the institute certain enumerated powers, as described in section 8 of the bill. The bill would also authorize the board to form nonprofit entities, as described in section 9 of the bill. Under the bill, the institute and any nonprofit entity formed or for which control is assumed by the institute could enter into any agreements necessary to provide for the establishment, operation, and financial support of the institute and the nonprofit entity. The Governor's Budget-in-Brief for Fiscal Year 2023 includes $5 million to help establish the Wind Institute for Innovation and Training to support the State's offshore wind workforce. According to the budget-in-brief, this funding would complement funding from other sources, including Clean Energy Fund allocations and funding related to offshore wind development. This bill would establish the institute in statute. | In Committee |
| S767 | Establishes four-year "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" in Department of Community Affairs. | This bill requires the Department of Community Affairs to establish a "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" ("pilot program") for low-income tenants. The purpose of the pilot program is to enable low-income tenants that rent a subsidized dwelling unit to generate and build credit without taking on an unsustainable debt burden by allowing tenants to report rent payments to consumer reporting agencies. Under the bill, a landlord may volunteer to participate in the pilot program. If a landlord participates, information is to be provided to tenants detailing the "Rent for Credit Pilot Program." Landlords involved with the pilot program will be required to agree in writing to: (1) comply with the rules promulgated by the department pursuant the bill; and (2) provide information, to the extent practicable, to the department concerning the execution of the program for the purpose of the report in section 4 of the bill. The bill further provides that if a tenant elects to participate in the pilot program, the landlord may require that the tenant pay a monthly fee of $10 or a fee to cover the cost of reporting the tenant's rent payment information, whichever is less. If a tenant fails to pay the monthly fee required by the landlord, nonpayment of the fee will not: (1) establish a cause for removal of the participant tenant from the dwelling unit; or (2) provide the landlord with justification to deduct the fee from the participant tenant's security deposit.If the monthly fee remains unpaid for more than 30 days, the landlord will cease to report the participating tenant's rental payments. Additionally, the department will be required to adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act that include and accomplish the following: (1) provide a list of eligible credit reporting agencies that a landlord may use to report a tenant's rental payment information; (2) approve a software vendor that will develop a program for a landlord to transmit reports of a tenant's payment or nonpayment of rent to a credit reporting agency; (3) ensure that each landlord reports rent payment information concerning a tenant's payment or nonpayment of rent after the date upon which the tenant elected to participate in the pilot program; and (4) establish a standard form for a tenant to use to elect to participate--or cease to participate--in the pilot program. The standard form will be distributed to tenants by the tenant's landlord and will include the following: (a) a statement that the tenant's participation in the pilot program is voluntary and that a tenant may cease participating in the pilot program at any time and for any reason by providing notice to the participant tenant's landlord; (b) information on the positive and negative effects of credit reporting on an individual's credit standing; (c) a department website address where a tenant may view information concerning financial literacy; (d) a statement that all of participant participating tenant's rent payments may be reported, regardless of whether the payments are timely, late, or missed, and that reporting may commence within 30 days after the tenant elects to participate in the pilot program; (e) a statement that if a tenant elects to cease participating in the pilot program, the tenant may not resume participating in the pilot program for at least 6 months; (f) a statement that a participating tenant may be subject to a monthly credit reporting fee established by the landlord that shall not exceed $10, and that nonpayment of the fee after 30 days will serve as notice to the landlord of the tenant's decision to cease participating in the pilot program; (g) instructions describing how to elect to cease participating in the pilot program; and (h) a signature block where the tenant may sign and date the form. Finally, the bill provides that the department will be required to conduct a review of the cumulative effectiveness of the pilot program on or before February 1 of the program's second fiscal year. The review will include, but not be limited to: (1) the number of landlords participating in the pilot program; (2) the number of participating tenants, including the number of those who ceased participating in the pilot program; (3) the demographics of participating tenants, including race, ethnicity, gender, income, and age, as may be voluntarily provided by participant tenants; (4) the cost of administering the pilot program; (5) the number of residential properties offered by each landlord; (6) the city and county of each property offered by the landlords involved in the pilot program; (7) a short narrative of the challenges faced by landlords and participating tenants during the pilot program; (8) an assessment of how the pilot program, in aggregate, positively or negatively affected participating tenants' credit; and (9) a recommendation from the department concerning the continuation of the pilot program. Once the review is completed, the department will be required to compile a report based upon the review's conclusions and submit the report to the Governor and the Legislature. | In Committee |
| S888 | Provides for certain pediatric NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries to maintain private duty nursing hours when transitioning to Managed Long Term Services and Supports; codifies and expands appeals provisions for private duty nursing services. | This bill provides that a NJ FamilyCare beneficiary transitioning from the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program for children under age 21 to the Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program for people of all ages with long-term care needs will automatically receive coverage under the MLTSS program for no less than the number of weekly private duty nursing service hours that the beneficiary was eligible to receive pursuant to the most recent nursing assessment completed under the EPSDT program. Moreover, the bill requires that such beneficiaries will be allowed to carry forward unused private duty nursing service hours from week to week. A managed care organization may decrease the number of covered private duty nursing service hours for such a beneficiary only based on a change in medical necessity, as determined by an authorized provider. The MLTSS program currently limits the number of weekly private duty nursing hours to 16. By contrast, there is no cap on such services under the EPSDT program. Furthermore, the bill directs the Department of Human Services to review the records of all beneficiaries who have transitioned from the EPSDT program to the MLTSS program in the five years preceding the bill's enactment to determine if any beneficiaries may be eligible for coverage of an increased number of private duty nursing services hours pursuant to the provisions of the bill. The bill also codifies and expands certain provisions in the contract between the Medicaid managed care organizations and the State for all private duty nursing services appeals. Under the bill, a managed care organization is required to automatically continue a beneficiary's provider-authorized private duty nursing services benefits during an appeal of a change of previously authorized private duty nursing services, provided that the appeal request is made by an eligible entity within 30 calendar days of the date of notification of the adverse benefit determination. These provisions reflect existing contract elements, except that currently an appeal request must be made within 10 calendar days, rather than 30. The bill also requires managed care organizations to continue the beneficiary's private duty nursing services benefits while an appeal is pending until 30 days after either the beneficiary withdraws the appeal or the appeal results in a decision adverse to the beneficiary. Currently, the managed care organizations can discontinue benefits upon the date of either of these two events. | In Committee |
| S292 | Eliminates past conviction of indictable offense as disqualifier for jury service. | This bill permits persons with past convictions of indictable offenses to serve on juries. Under current law, past convictions, whether based on violations of New Jersey law, another state's law, or federal law, are automatic disqualifiers for jury service. This bill eliminates this disqualifier, making persons with past convictions eligible for jury service. Eliminates past conviction of indictable offense as disqualifier for jury service. | In Committee |
| S760 | Requires electric public utility to reimburse customer for cost of spoiled food and prescription medicine resulting from service outage more than 48 hours after end of storm. | This bill requires an electric public utility (utility) to reimburse a utility customer for the cost of food or prescription medicine, or both, that spoils as a result of a sustained power outage. Under the bill, a customer whose food or prescription medicine spoils due to a lack of refrigeration caused by a sustained power outage would be entitled to a reimbursement for the actual cost of the spoiled food or prescription medicine. A utility customer would be required to submit to the utility an itemized list of losses, and proof of loss, as specified in the bill. No later than 90 days after the effective date of the bill, each utility in the State is required to develop and implement a system for customers of the utility to apply for a reimbursement online via the utility's Internet website. Applications for a reimbursement is to be made in a form and manner as determined by the Board of Public Utilities. | In Committee |
| S2128 | Exempts local utilities from certain reporting requirements. | This bill excludes local utilities and local utility authorities from certain reporting requirements. Under N.J.S.A.48:2-29.57 et seq., both public utilities and local utilities are required to report information on the effects of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on utilities and certain other information, including utility supply, demand, revenues, and expenses, the average amount billed to customers' accounts, infrastructure projects the utilities' planned to undertake that were canceled or for which the start date was delayed for certain reasons, and other additional information. Under this bill, only public utilities would be required to submit this information. Because these reporting requirements would no longer apply to local utilities and local utility authorities, the bill also provides that the BPU would no longer be required to consult with the Department of Community Affairs when implementing the provisions of N.J.S.A.48:2-29.57 et seq. | In Committee |
| S2230 | 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 American Community Survey 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 180 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) how the government entity intends to keep track of the limited English proficient population and how the need for translations is determined; (3) a report on the frequency of requests, how the requests were met, whether language assistance services were requested in languages other than the required 15, and how the entity will notify the eligible population; (4) how the entity documents the actual service provision; (5) 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; (6) a plan for how the entity will ensure the provision of language assistance services of the highest quality and in a culturally competent manner; (7) the name and contact information of an employee at the government entity who would be the point of contact; (8) the titles of all available translated documents and the languages into which they have been translated; (9) a website and document content describing the required translation services, processes, and documents; and (10) a plan for annually monitoring internal compliance. Under the bill, if a State government entity already has a language access plan, the State government entity may continue to use that language access plan and may adjust that plan in accordance with the bill. A State government entity would be permitted to retain any additional languages already included in an existing language access plan. The bill directs the Secretary of State to oversee, coordinate, and provide guidance to State government entities in their implementation. The Secretary of State would be required to develop a language access plan template for distribution to all State government entities for their use in developing, implementing, and reporting on their language access plans, and must ensure that each State government entity submits a language access plan when due that contains the required content. The Secretary of State would also be responsible for the development of the list of 15 languages that all State government entities must use in their implementation of the bill, based on American Community Survey data. 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 covered by the bill. 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 one year after the effective date of the bill for the five most common languages, not later than two years for the next five most common languages, and not later than three years for the remaining five 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 |
| S85 | Establishes Division of Minority and Women Business Development and State Chief Disparity Officer to monitor efforts to promote participation by minority-owned and women-owned businesses in State contracting. | This bill establishes in the State Department of the Treasury a Division of Minority and Women Business Development to be headed by a State Chief Disparity Officer. The division will administer and monitor policies, practices and programs that further this State's efforts to ensure equal opportunity for minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises in purchasing and procurement by State departments and agencies, including independent State authorities. The State Chief Disparity Officer will monitor the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises, including the total value of all contracts and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. The officer will periodically report the officer's findings to the Governor and the Legislature. The bill directs each State department and agency, including independent State authorities, to designate a disparity officer to act as a liaison with the State Chief Disparity Officer. The Division of Minority and Women Business Development was originally established in the State Department of the Treasury pursuant to Executive Order No. 34 of 2006; this bill would codify the Division in State law, and clarify its structure and purpose. The bill also requires that provisions of existing law concerning State certification of minority-owned and women-owned businesses be fully implemented and prohibits self-certification by these businesses. In addition, the bill provides that contracts awarded through the State's small business set-aside program that are valued at less than the threshold for the entire cost of the erection construction, alteration, or repair by the State of any public buildings in this State established pursuant to subsection a. of R.S.52:32-2 will not be publicly advertised for bids but will, instead, be negotiated with small businesses using a competitive contracting process. Currently, the threshold set forth in R.S.52:32-2 is $2,000. | In Committee |
| S786 | Reduces statute of limitations from six years to two years in medical fee disputes in workers' compensation matters. | This bill provides that the statute of limitations for a medical fee dispute in a workers' compensation matter will be two years from the date that a payment or notice of denial of payment was received by a claimant. The current statute of limitations for these matters, as interpreted by State courts, is six years from the date that a payment or notice of denial of payment was received by a claimant. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1636 | Changes MVC voter registration procedures. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2019 | Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S862 | Requires DOT to provide additional information in annual report on pavement condition; makes report available to public. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2051 | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct risk assessment of and provide assistance to domestic violence victims. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1320 | Requires certain information be included in certain contracts with licensed public adjusters. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2929 | Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; concerns testing of certain property for lead drinking water hazards. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3323 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1948 | Requires VCCO to issue annual report to Governor and Legislature. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2346 | Creates Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals during certain hot weather and air quality events; appropriates $5 million. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2373 | Provides employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3424 | Establishes certain program requirements for school counselor certification; outlines role and duties of school counselor; requires professional development for school counselors; establishes position of School Counselor Liaison in DOE. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2783 | "Travel Insurance Act." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3802 | Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR96 | Permanently designates August 17th as "Nonprofit Day" in NJ. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2951 | Authorizes provision of monetary awards to whistleblowers who report State tax law violations committed by employers in construction industry. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR100 | Designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in NJ. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4085 | Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | 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. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4178 | Authorizes State Treasurer to grant temporary deed of easement in Borough of Sea Girt in Monmouth County. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3132 | Imposes certain requirements on secondhand dealers of cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4331 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4429 | Expands prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3287 | Provides gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers for sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4455 | Allows exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from sale or exchange of qualified small business stock. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3418 | Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4603 | Allows commercial farmer to be awarded reasonable costs and attorney fees for defending against bad faith complaints under "Right to Farm Act". | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4765 | Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances; requires driver's manual to include information on sharing roadway with motorists for certain road users. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3618 | Directs DEP and DOT to establish "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4897 | Revises law requiring certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4954 | Requires members of historic preservation commissions to complete historic preservation planning course. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4969 | Ensures boards of elections have discretion to make initial determination of validity of cast ballots; requires Secretary of State to establish uniform guidelines for assessing validity of ballots. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3858 | Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transportating students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3887 | Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State-and county-owned lakes and reservoirs. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3917 | Makes various changes to school funding law and Educational Adequacy Report; establishes Special Education Funding Review Task Force. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3931 | Updates requirements for licensure in occupational therapy. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3944 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5100 | Re-appropriates unexpended balance of FY2024 appropriation for Town of West New York to support recreation center; appropriates $3 million for Town of West New York - Recreation Center to restore lapsed FY2024 funding. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5130 | Requires enforcing agency to conduct inspection of construction in specified time window. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5170 | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4028 | Limits amount of payment that State agency as property owner may withhold from certain contractors on State construction contracts to two percent of amount due. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5264 | Requires establishment of automated platform to expedite construction code approval of applications to install residential solar energy systems. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4135 | Provides allowance for certain redevelopment projects undertaken by institutions of higher education under New Jersey Aspire program. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | 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. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4263 | Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5447 | Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Concur in House Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5546 | Concerns financial powers and responsibilities of Capital City Redevelopment Corporation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4376 | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5687 | Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5688 | Imposes surcharge on hotel occupancies in certain municipalities to fund fire services; provides for appropriation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4451 | Clarifies requirements for land use plan element and housing plan element of municipal master plan. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SCR131 | Approves FY2026 Financial Plan of NJ Infrastructure Bank. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4400 | Extends hours that minor employed by national sports association, league, or team may work under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4387 | Requires establishment of tracking system in Division of Consumer Affairs to determine compliance with continuing education requirements. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4423 | Authorizes BPU to provide site approval for small modular reactors; authorizes operators of small modular reactors to store spent nuclear fuel on-site. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4476 | Permits awarding of contracts for certain preschool education services by resolution of board of education; extends maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4472 | Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for local bond ordinances involving hazard mitigation and resilience projects. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4506 | Exempts minor league baseball players from certain State wage laws under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Senate District 37 | Senate | Democrat | In Office | 01/11/2022 | |
| NJ | District 37 | House | Democrat | Out of Office | 01/08/2002 | 01/21/2024 |