Bills in the 2006–2007 Session, General Assembly.
Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez
Sponsored
Became law1
Requires portion of State rental assistance grants be reserved for graduates of State veterans' transitional housing program.
Passed the General Assembly1
Regulates impoundment of shopping carts.
Out of committee6
Extends registration requirement to all ticket brokers reselling tickets to places of entertainment in the State; requires certain consumer disclosures.
Requires notices concerning employees under age 18 to be posted in English and Spanish.
"Toy Safety Act."
Provides for increase in relocation assistance amounts based on increase of CPI.
Consumer Electronics Warranty Lemon Law.
Requires sales receipts to remain legible for entire return period.
In committee36
Provides that student of limited English-speaking ability shall not be required to take certain tests.
Upgrades assault committed against commercial vendors and merchants.
Provides liability protection to organizations which lend child passenger restraint systems.
Prohibits use of unmarked police vehicles for routine traffic stops.
Provides reimbursement to municipalities for taxes lost due to totally disabled veterans' tax exemption.
Requires automobile insurers to maintain sales representation in urban rating territories.
Requires DHS to provide functional services to certain persons with developmental disabilities.
"Urban and Rural Centers Unsafe Buildings Demolition Grant Program Act," appropriates $15 million.
Establishes a gross income tax credit for attendance at New Jersey county colleges.
Expands membership of the State Board of Agriculture.
Grants paid leave for certain firefighters who are affiliates of certain Black or Hispanic firefighters' associations to attend State or national conventions.
Prohibits sale of tobacco products in vending machines and establishes requirements for retail sales of tobacco.
Authorizes NJEDA to issue $8 million in bonds for financial assistance to child care centers.
Supplemental appropriation of $2 million to DHSS to expand the Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Adult Day Care Center Program.
Makes State Police employees subject to termination for certain unlawful conduct.
Provides that certain special education treatment options or teaching methods shall be discontinued.
Provides for State aid payment to certain municipalities for loss of ratables due to an overburden of tax-exempt property; approriates $50 million.
Defines "mobile home park" as "multiple dwelling" for inspection purposes.
Requires emergency first aid and first responder retraining for local law enforcement officers; establishes a "duty to act" in emergency situations for on-duty local law enforcement officers.
Amends the "Fair Housing Act" to change details of regional contribution agreements.
The " Abandoned Cemetery Maintenance and Preservation Act."
Establishes Medication Management, Outreach and Support Program in DHS; appropriates $8 million.
Affords emergency services peer counselors confidentiality privileges.
Exempts certain persons enrolled in public institutions of higher education from payment of undergraduate tuition at nonresident rates.
Prohibits unauthorized disclosure of personal health care information by health insurer to another financial institution with which it merges or which acquires it.
Requires sellers of used motor vehicles to disclose if vehicle was involved in an accident requiring repairs of $1,000 or more.
Authorizes mayor's membership on authorities created by municipality.
Requires that certain relocation notices be bilingual in municipalities where at least one-third of the population are likely to speak a common non-English native language.
Prohibits certain insurance carriers from requiring pharmacies to accept reimbursement below pharmacy cost and eliminates Board of Pharmacy approval of certain pharmacy charges.
Authorizes DEP and New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to provide loans to residential homeowners for water supply connections.
Establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury to provide tax credits for contributions to entities which provide tuition scholarships to children residing in Camden, Newark, Orange and Trenton or fund innovative public school programs.
Expands number of literacy advocacy programs eligible to receive voluntary taxpayer contributions through gross income tax returns.
Removes limousine services from sales and use tax imposition.
Abolishes offices of superintendent of elections and deputy superintendent; transfers powers and duties thereof to county commissioner of registration or county board of elections.
Revises law relating to title recordation.
Establishes pilot program in Department of the Treasury to provide tax credits for contributions to entities which provide tuition scholarships to children residing in Camden, Elizabeth, Lakewood, Newark, Orange, Paterson and Trenton.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 37
Implements CORE proposals, including "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act"; user -friendly budgets; revision of county superintendent of schools title and duties.*
Provides for various school district accountability measures.
Eliminates various inactive commissions, committees, councils and boards.
Establishes "Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization, and Consolidation Commission"; establishes measures for local government efficiency; appropriates $95,000.
Eliminates various mandates imposed on public school districts.
Prohibits product testing with traditional animal test methods if federally recommended alternative test method exists, with certain exceptions; and provides for injunctive relief for violations.
Designates New Jersey Route 55 as "Veterans Memorial Highway;" appropriates $2,500.
Skinner's and Michelle's Law; increases penalties for leaving scene of motor vehicle accident resulting in death or serious bodily injury. *
Makes unauthorized use of military uniforms, medals or insignias a crime of the fourth degree.
Requires all municipal court administrators to be certified and provides for interim municipal court administrator appointments under certain circumstances.
Expands eligibility for NJ Distinguished Service Medal and commemorative Vietnam service medal and ribbon to certain long-term and former State residents. *
Lowers the minimum full-time jobs requirement for business relocation and retention tax credits.
Concerns tax preparation services for certain clients.
Permits certain for-profit entities to manage or operate cemeteries.
Requires suicide and mental health screening of juveniles in county detention centers.
Extends eligibility for higher education tuition assistance to certain former members of New Jersey National Guard and increases number of tuition-free credits available to National Guard members and their dependents.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support New Jersey Veterans Haven program.
Establishes Commission on Women Veterans.
"Independence, Dignity and Choice in Long-Term Care Act"; reallocates State long-term care expenditures.
Makes it a disorderly persons offense to purposely disrupt funeral through certain conduct. *
Extends eligibility for New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Program to dependents and spouses of persons who died as a result of illness caused by exposure to attack sites.
"Violence Prevention in Health Care Facilities Act," requires certain health care entities to establish violence prevention programs to protect health care workers.
Prohibits certain deceptive advertising or concert performance practices with respect to live muscial performances or productions. *
Lowers to 62 statutory qualifying age for low-income senior citizen State rental assistance grants.
Provides a military service exemption to the requirement of continuous enrollment under the NJ STARS and NJ STARS II Programs.
Requires DMVA to evaluate resources, costs and benefits of providing home health care aides for qualified veterans.
The "Global Warming Response Act."
Mandates alternate testing dates because of days of religious observance for certain applicants seeking licensure.
Provides certain employment protections for employees on military leave in time of war or emergency.
Appropriates $39,430,430 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond funds, and appropriates or reappropriates certain other moneys, for local government open space acquisition and park development projects in "ur
Provides for the transfer of certain college credits.
"New Jersey Health Information Technology Act"; establishes New Jersey Health Information Technology Commission and Office for e-HIT, and provides for Statewide health information technology plan. *
Regulates certain tows and requires licensure of towing companies.
Provides for instruction in autism and other developmental disabilities awareness and methods of teaching students with autism and other developmental disabilities for candidates for teaching certificates and current teachers and paraprofessionals. **
Concerns Early Intervention Program services for children with autism.
The "Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres, and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007"; authorizes issuance of $200 million in bonds; appropriates $5,000.
Increases sales and use tax from 6% to 7% on July 15, 2006 and expands base of sales and use tax on October 1, 2006.
Vetoed · 1
Repeals cosmetic medical procedure gross receipts tax.
Passed the General Assembly · 27
Establishes a pilot program in DOE for the organization of a county administrative school district.
Permits the appointment of joint municipal court judges by agreement of affected municipalities.
Creates a credit card do-not-solicit list for certain persons. **
"Pharmacy Quality Improvement and Error Prevention Act."
Concerns penalties for illegally passing a school bus. *
Requires DMVA to send Servicemembers' Advisory Notice to members of National Guard called to active duty.
Creates the "Emergency Management Act of 2006." *
Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for certain New Jersey members of the military and their families in need of assistance.
Permits hiring of special law enforcement officers to supplement county park police departments during summer.
Requires DHSS to review standard of care at health care facilities in which 40% or more of direct patient care nursing staff are temporary hires.
Permits issuance of temporary work permit for teaching to applicants for admission to cosmetology and hairstyling teacher examination; specifies GED as form of eligibility for licensure.
Requires certain information to be included in a retailer's advertisement of merchandise for sale.
The "Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006."
Prohibits electronic printing of certain debit card information on certain sales receipts.
Requires reporting of public high school, district and Statewide drop-out and graduation rates.
Authorizes civil action for certain economic damages against owner or keeper of pet animal that injures or kills another person's pet animal.
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging.
Revises procedures for the use of eminent domain in municipal redevelopment programs.
Requires wheelchair securement devices and wheelchair occupant securement devices on certain vehicles and training in their use for certain employees.
Requires alternative testing arrangements be provided to certain students unable to attend tests at their regular administration due to religious observance.
Requires wheelchair securement and occupant securement devices for wheelchaired passengers.
Requires retail mercantile establishment to provide manufacturer's rebate at time of consumer purchase.
Prohibits display of gift card account numbers.
Requires DHSS and DHS to establish autism and intellectual and other developmental disabilities awareness program for emergency medical technicians, police officers, and firefighters. *
Establishes qualifications for zoning enforcement officers.
Amends stalking law to broaden protections for victims.
Out of committee · 54
Allows UEZ municipalities to include certain activities and services as projects eligible for UEZ funding.
Designates first Monday in November each year as "Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Day." *
Makes it a crime of the third degree to practice psychology without a license and prohibits certain unlicensed employees of nonprofit community agencies from using title of psychologist.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties. *
Permits certain managers in the public sector to negotiate collectively under the "New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act."
Amends "Law Against Discrimination" concerning gender identity or expression discrimination.
"Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act."
Establishes procedures for placement of individuals in Division of Developmental Disabilities Moderate Security Unit.
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" increases sentences for sex offenders and persons who harbor them. *
Requires notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of automobile and homeowners insurance policies to be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. *
Requires under "Fair Housing Act" that certain percentage of affordable housing be reserved for very low income households.
Requires disclosure of terms, conditions, and limitations on prepaid telephone calling cards.
Provides for commencement of short term tax exemptions and abatements as of date of completion of project.
Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for those persons currently residing in nursing facilities, State hospitals or State developmental centers.
Allows veteran or personal representative to withdraw honorable discharge papers from county clerk.
Dedicates certain sales and use taxes collected to "Veterans' Services Fund."
Creates New Jersey Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act of 2006.
Expands wrongful death act to allow recovery for mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of society and loss of companionship. *
Clarifies powers of public safety directors.
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.
"Bloodborne Disease Harm Reduction Act"; establishes demonstration program to permit operation of sterile syringe access programs; appropriates $10 million. *
Establishes defibrillator grant program in DCA.
Provides for voluntary contributions to the "Homelessness Prevention Program" through real estate sales.
Revises statutory mental health coverage requirements and requires all health insurers and SHBP to cover treatment for alcoholism and other substance-use disorders under same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses.
Recodifies Title 4 criminal animal cruelty offenses in State criminal code; increases level of certain offenses and crimes; establishes new offenses; revises civil penalties; repeals various sections of law; designated as Angel's Law. **
Expands number of safe havens for leaving newborn infants.
"Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority Act." *
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
Requires informational posters about safe placement alternatives for newborn infants be posted in public restrooms used by females.
Requires ambulatory care facilities to provide uncompensated outpatient renal dialysis services for uninsured low-income persons.
Regulates operation of sweepstakes in New Jersey.
Regulates donation clothing bins.
Establishes "Grandparenting Resource Center Pilot Program"; appropriates $1,500,000.
Upgrades assault on victims who are disabled.
Changes when proof of veteran status is required for civil service examinations for certain veterans. *
Requires Office of Legislative Services to make complete voting records of legislators available to the public in electronic form.
Authorizes certain cities to establish a municipal hospital authority.
Establishes Department of Children and Families.
Requires DCF and DHS to compile lists of State properties suitable for certain residential uses. *
Permits local government units to grant Length of Service Award Program points to certain activated military members.
Extends expiration date of automobile insurance urban enterprise zone program to April 1, 2009.
Requires DHSS standards for safe building interiors; submission of documentation of investigation and remediation as a condition to issuance of construction permit for certain sites; makes changes to the "Industrial Site Recovery Act."
"Billy's Law"; requires DCF and DHS to establish regulations for out-of-State placements in residential schools and programs. **
Prohibits denial of credit on the basis that individual was a victim of identity theft.
Eliminates the death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without eligibility for parole in certain circumstances. *
Modifies intent, purpose and standard of construction of "Municipal Land Use Law."
Allows authorized representative of deceased or incapacitated dentist to contract with another dentist to continue practice for one year.
Establishes New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.
Makes changes concerning Governor's Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism.
Revises the expungement statute and clarifies that expungement does not apply to any crime committed by a person holding any public office, position or employment, elective or appointive.
Revises provisions of "Municipal Rehabilitation and Economic Recovery Act." *
Makes it a primary offense for motorists to talk on or text message with hand-held wireless telephone or electronic communication device while driving. *
Requires physicians and other prescribers to obtain informed consent from parents or guardians of minors for certain medications with "black box warning."
Regulates prepaid telephone calling cards and services. *
In committee · 95
Establishes pilot program in DOE to provide laptop computers and support services to pupils and teachers in public school districts.
Requires health insurers to cover diagnostic testing and long-term antibiotic treatment of chronic Lyme disease and co-infections of Lyme disease.
Requires fee-for-service prescription drug benefits for SSI recipients under Medicaid.
Requires fee-for-service prescription drug benefits for NJ FamilyCare.
"The Domestic Violence and Workforce Development Initiative."
Creates the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act" to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Allows a gross income tax credit for textbook purchases by full-time undergraduate students at four year institutions of higher education, county colleges and accredited post-secondary schools in New Jersey.
Permits municipality to enact ordinance to curb gang related loitering and criminal activity.
Clarifies that the term "deadly weapon" includes an animal.
Requires health care facilities to report certain information about their health care staff to their respective professional boards or DHSS.
Prohibits black bear hunting, creates black bear study commission, authorizes issuance and sale of NJ Black Bear Stamp, establishes NJ Black Bear Stamp Account.
Requires State Board of Education to include two hours of instruction in suicide prevention as part of professional development for public school teaching staff members.
Increases pharmacy dispensing fees under Medicaid and PAAD by $1.00 over three-year period; appropriates $6,481,000 in State funds and $3,325,000 in federal funds.
Appropriates $25,000 to DMVA for women veterans' memorial at the NJ veterans' cemetery at Arneytown.
Establishes New Jersey Borough Enterprise Zone Program to encourage business development in small, highly developed municipalities.
Exempts drugs prescribed for mental illness and HIV/AIDS from restrictive mechanisms under Medicaid, NJ Family Care, PAAD and Senior Gold programs.
Provides for establishment of county offices for the disabled; making an appropriation.
Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses providing employment to qualified handicapped persons at sheltered workshops.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Expands offense of computer criminal activity to include accessing computer data for an unlawful purpose by means of a knowing misrepresentation as to identity of person requesting information.
Permits immediate expungement of court records where the person is acquitted or discharged or where the charges have been dismissed.
Clarifies that advertisements by persons licensed to practice medicine and surgery are subject to the Consumer Fraud Act.
Provides State aid to Abbott district charter school students to reach 90% of maximum T&E amount.
Repeals the death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without eligibility for parole in certain circumstances.
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
"Billy's Law;" directs Department of Education to establish a register of qualified educational facilities outside the State for special education students and establishes procedures for the placement of such facilities on the register.
Increases the EDA bonding limit for the State share of school facilities projects.
Requires drivers to make all reasonable efforts to remove ice or snow from vehicle; creates fine.
Provides PFRS members in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.
Eliminates certain components of realty transfer fee.
Establishes certain minimum levels for expenditures of dedicated open space monies for projects in urban areas and for recreation projects Statewide.
Establishes a State aid program for charter school facilities.
Requires award of grants to remediate discharges from home heating oil tanks for applications filed prior to July 1, 2007.
Concerns workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer.
Establishes special license plates for veterans of the Korean conflict.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Prohibits hold or block on debit card accounts unless disclosed to and authorized by consumer.
Authorizes court to refrain from imposing driver's license suspension on defendant convicted of CDS offense if compelling circumstances exist.
Extends State veterans' benefits eligibility to those New Jerseyans who served on active duty missions related to the war on terror since September 11, 2001.
Mandates testing for lead toxicity as condition for certain school, nursery school, or child care attendance.
Revises the eligibility criteria under the State earned income tax credit to equal the eligibility criteria of the federal earned income tax credit.
Directs public school officials regarding the administration and implementation of the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001."
Requires Attorney General to prepare pamphlet for parents on keeping children safe from predators.
Requires responsible business practices by large employers regarding wages and benefits.
Requires heir to undergo criminal background check before taking possession of firearm.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to Community Food Pantry Fund.
Authorizes payment of funeral expenses for certain public safety employees killed in line of duty.
Raises age requirement of compulsory school attendance from 16 to 18 years old.
"Pharmacy Benefits Management Company Act."
Provides for regulation of certain call center communications by Division of Consumer Affairs.
Provides paid and unpaid leaves of absence for service with public employee unions and allows full cost purchase of PERS credit for period of leave.
Requires all cats and dogs released from pounds and shelters be sterilized with certain exceptions; establishes special fund for sterilizations; increases certain dog-related fees and dedicates increases to the fund.
Requires HMOs to report number of children screened for lead poisoning under Medicaid program.
Requires DEP confirm transfers of water allocation credits and approve transfers of permits under certain circumstances.
Requires permanent, full-time county fire marshals and assistant marshals authorized to coordinate, control or extinguish fires to be enrolled in PFRS.
Authorizes State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation; makes appropriation.
Requires motor vehicles manufactured after July 1, 2008 to have trunk safety equipment.
Provides $100,000 military death benefit to State citizens killed on federal active duty; establishes "Fallen Patriots Memorial Fund."
Requires State budget to include funds for annual cost-of-living adjustment to certain contracted providers of services.
Prohibits the sale of stolen goods on websites governed by Internet based resale companies.
Supplemental appropriation of $14 million in State and federal funds to increase reimbursement to providers of personal care services by $1.50 per hour.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Prohibits public colleges from charging tuition to students who are parents, spouses or children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Establishes a program to provide college scholarships to the parent, spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Makes chief of police contractual municipal employee and establishes in DLPS "Chiefs of Police Performance Evaluation Commission."
Prohibits the use or possession of cellular picture phones to invade another person's privacy and prohibits camera or picture cell phones in schools.
Establishes Applied Behavior Analysis for Children with Autism Pilot Program in DHS; appropriates $10 million.
Authorizes POW license plates for leased vehicles.
Establishes universal credit equivalency program to provide seamless transfer of college credits by institutions of higher education.
Dedicates CATV company franchise fee payments to property tax reduction, and to municipal utility and law enforcement costs.
Revises criteria for eligibility to receive homestead property tax reimbursement for claimants affected by eminent domain.
Increases firearm permit and license fees.
Exempts membership fees, initiation fees, or dues for access to health and fitness, athletic, or sporting clubs of certain charitable organizations from sales and use tax.
Establishes Lane Splitting Task Force.
Requires all personal audio players distributed in New Jersey to contain a warning about volume and hearing loss.
Exempts charges for residential storage space and dues for residential health and fitness facilities from the sales and use tax.
"Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act"; appropriates $75,000.
Modifies rule governing decisions under the "Municipal Land Use Law."
Requires reimbursement of physical damage deductible paid by insured under private passenger automobile insurance policy within 180 days under certain circumstances.
Excludes military compensation of military personnel serving outside of this State from gross income tax.
Provides an exclusion for military compensation of military personnel serving outside of this State from gross income tax.
Provides that if wireless telephone service subscriber terminates service, any applicable subscriber termination fee is to be prorated.
Prohibits commercial mobile service providers from requiring subscribers to purchase new cellular telephone equipment in certain cases.
Wireless Telephone Consumer Protection Act; establishes certain consumer protections for wireless telephone subscribers.
Permits physicians to earn continuing medical education credits by providing free medical care to low-income, uninsured patients.
Prohibits commercial mobile service providers from requiring subscribers to pay a charge for calling emergency 9-1-1 service.
Makes a supplemental appropriation of $14,375,000 to the Department of Education for additional State aid to certain school districts.
Confers civil service status on police officers employed by UMDNJ and Rutgers University.
Provides "Patriots Corner" tribute in State House to New Jersey residents serving in US Armed Forces, reserve components and New Jersey National Guard.
Removes maximum price limitation for sale of certain tickets of admission to places of entertainment.
Requires school districts to inform the parent or guardian of a student recommended to use certain medications of the possible side effects and potential negative consequences of those medications.
Requires hang tag for holders of provisional driver's license and windshield sticker for holders of special learner's permit and examination permit.
Requires availability of athletic heart protectors at certain baseball events; appropriates $2,500.
Eliminates statute of limitations in wrongful death actions arising out of murder, aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter where a conviction was not obtained.
Establishes Office of Airline Consumer Advocate and consumer bill of rights for airline passengers.
Filed · 5
Establishes the "New Jersey Tax and Fiscal Policy Study Commission" to study the State and local tax structure and related fiscal issues.
Authorizes individual boards of education to self insure for certain insurance; removes current prohibitions.
Clarifies authority of DOT to enter certain agreements with local governments.
Establishes Division of Risk Management in the Department of the Treasury; reorganizes Office of Information Technology; requires consolidation of enhanced 9-1-1 public safety answering points.
"Property Assessment Reform Act"; appropriates $4,000,000.