Bills in the 2008–2009 Session, General Assembly.
Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez
Sponsored
Became law3
Requires disclosure when selling certain clothing apparel containing fur.
Authorizes State Treasurer to sell surplus real property and improvements thereon located in City of Camden.
Modifies "Predatory Towing Prevention Act."
Passed the General Assembly2
Provides exemption from 3-day cancellation provision of home improvement contract in case of bona fide emergency.
Permits hiring of special law enforcement officers to supplement county park police departments during summer.
Out of committee5
Regulates impoundment of shopping carts.
Consumer Electronics Warranty Lemon Law.
Includes security fraud as violation of consumer fraud act.
Requires sales receipts to remain legible for entire return period.
Establishes procedure to insure inmates with military service receive all the veteran benefits to which they are entitled upon release.
In committee47
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.
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.
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.
Requires notices concerning employees under age 18 to be posted in English and Spanish.
"Toy Safety Act."
Authorizes mayor's membership on authorities created by municipality.
Provides for increase in relocation assistance amounts based on increase of CPI.
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.
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.
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.
Revises sales and use tax to conform with Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement and eliminates sales and use tax on limousine services and certain initiation and membership fees and dues.
Establishes the "Anti-Phishing Act."
Concerning the "Contractors' Registration Act."
Extends registration requirement to all ticket brokers reselling tickets to places of entertainment in the State; requires certain consumer disclosures.
Authorizes special Gold Star Family license plates.
Establishes titling and registration requirements for certain small trailers.
Allows SPRS members to purchase service credit for military service, out-of-state public employment and employment with federal government.
"Urban Enterprise Zone Jobs Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of the Treasury to provide tax credits for contributions to entities which provide tuition scholarships to children in certain urban enterprise zone municipalities.
"Plastic Bag Reduction Act."
Prohibits the sale of cosmetics containing lead or mercury.
Prohibits the sale of cosmetics containing phthalates.
Prohibits the sale of certain children's products containing phthalates or bisphenol A.
Regulates use of "toxic-free" labels on children's products.
Regulates use of "all natural" labels on cosmetics.
Concerns rental vehicle supplementary fees.
Carried from the Senate
Became law1
Regulates impoundment of shopping carts.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 25
Provides "Patriots Corner" tribute in State House to New Jersey residents serving in US Armed Forces, reserve components and New Jersey National Guard.
Revises laws concerning the provision of affordable housing.
Extends payment of accidental death benefit in PFRS, SPRS, PERS and TPAF to survivors of certain members of reserve component of Armed Forces and National Guard. *
Delays expiration date of certain professional and occupational licenses and registrations for individuals with certain types of military services. *
Requires wheelchair securement and occupant securement devices for wheelchaired passengers.
Amends stalking law to broaden protections for victims.
Establishes Veterans' Oral History Foundation.
Denies public access to extinguished psychiatric liens.
Imposes moratorium on harvest and possession of horseshoe crabs.
Provides veterans' organizations right to receive unclaimed veterans' cremains after one year. *
Enacts "Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children."
Permits municipalities to set strict absentee policies for service on authorities, boards, and commissions.
The "Permit Extension Act of 2008."
Requires DHS to report physical assaults and deaths at State psychiatric hospitals on its website and report deaths to Public Advocate. *
Permits counties to create County Homelessness Trust Funds. *
Prohibits sale and distribution of novelty lighters. *
Establishes the Troops to College Program in the Commission on Higher Education to assist veterans in making the transition into the college classroom.
Makes FY 2009 supplemental appropriations totaling $22,500,000 to provide food, energy and legal aid assistance to individuals and families under the "New Jersey Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan."
Requires DHS to develop procedures to enable hospitals to promptly transfer emergency department patients with mental illness to appropriate treatment setting. *
Requires DHS and DCF to establish standardized admission protocols and medical clearance criteria for admission to behavioral health care facilities. *
Requires DHS and DCF to identify available mental health services and perform needs assessment. *
Requires confirmation of financial assistance for eligible homeowners voluntarily closing or replacing petroleum underground storage tanks, and expands eligibility for financial assistance. *
Permits physicians to issue multiple prescriptions for total of up to 90-day supply of Schedule II drugs.
The "Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009," authorizes bonds for $400 million; appropriates $5,000. **
Permits municipal or county Hispanic advisory commission to have more than five members.
Passed the General Assembly · 21
Permits physicians and veterinarians to earn continuing education credits by providing certain free medical or veterinary services. *
Requires physicians and other prescribers to obtain informed consent from parents or guardians of minors for certain medications with "black box warning."
Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.
Requires New Jersey DMVA to issue Cold War certificates to Cold War veterans.
The "Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2008." *
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging, and requires companies offering text messaging services to allow their customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages. *
Prohibits display of gift card account numbers.
Requires retail mercantile establishment to provide manufacturer's rebate at time of consumer purchase.
Provides DYFS caseworkers with personnel and law enforcement assistance when conducting DYFS investigations.
Changes membership requirements of the Veterans' Services Council.
Requires retailers to post warnings of lead poisoning from improper paint removal.
Prohibits application of certain temporary "black" or "blue" henna tattoos.
Requires account numbers to be truncated on certain sales receipts. *
Requires applications for certain professional and occupational licenses and certain registrations for controlled dangerous substance distribution to include information on applicant's membership in Armed Forces.
Creates New Jersey Honor Guard Ribbon.
Prohibits the manufacture, distribution, and sale of certain jewelry. *
Requires DHS to establish training, educational assessment, and remedial instruction programs, and minimum educational standards for staff at State psychiatric hospitals.
Establishes procedures to prevent and eradicate bedbug infestations in certain residential property.
Expands membership of Domestic Violence Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board.
Requires Public Advocate intervention, additional public participation, and health impact study as conditions of conversion of health service corporation to domestic stock insurer. *
Prohibits the use of simulated government documents in advertising.
Out of committee · 34
Allows certain undocumented aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public institutions of higher education.
Establishes Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program in DEP and appropriates $200,000 therefor from Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund.
Raises age requirement of compulsory school attendance from 16 to 18 years old. *
Confers civil service status on police officers employed by UMDNJ, Rutgers University, and NJIT. *
Requires alternative testing arrangements be provided to certain students unable to attend tests at their regular administration due to religious observance.
Authorizes proration of veterans' property tax deduction.
Provides post-traumatic stress disorder from military service during combat may be mitigating factor during sentencing.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Creates a credit card do-not-solicit list. *
Renames the Primary Care Physician and Dentist Loan Redemption Program and makes various other changes to the program.
Requires wheelchair securement devices and wheelchair occupant securement devices on certain vehicles and training in their use for certain employees.
Requires DHSS to report certain patient safety indicators on a hospital by hospital basis and prohibits hospitals from charging for certain medical errors. *
Requires drivers to make all reasonable efforts to remove ice or snow from vehicle; creates fine.
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" increases sentences for sex offenders and persons who harbor them.
Excludes certain military compensation for combat zone duty, qualified hazardous duty and duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger of New Jersey military personnel from gross income tax.
Extends eligibility for $250 property tax deduction to veterans of Operation "Uphold Democracy."
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.
Revises criteria for eligibility to receive senior and disabled homestead property tax reimbursement.
Regulates certain credentialing and trade practices of insurance producers, and provides private cause of action for insurance producer violations.
Permits smoking ban on grounds of State psychiatric hospitals and other Human Services facilities if smoking cessation program offered. *
Permanently disqualifies certain persons convicted of child endangerment from working with children.
Authorizes special license plates with proceeds to the families of NJ troops overseas.
Requires records to be maintained concerning the sale of used jewelry. *
Authorizes special Gold Star Parent motor vehicle plates for parents of military personnel who died while on active duty.
Requires staff members of adoption agencies to undergo criminal history record background and child abuse record information checks.
Establishes "Court Security Enhancement Fund" and increases court fees.
Provides for random drug testing and testing for cause of employees of State psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, and veterans homes and requires applicants for employment to undergo drug testing. *
Extends burial of indigent veterans to those who did not serve in time of war; clarifies role of DMVA in identifying deceased veterans; provides additional funding for burial of indigent veterans.
Establishes a one-year pilot program to assist separating service members pursue higher education goals.
Establishes Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. *
Makes various statutory changes to "Child Care Licensing Act."
Permits conversion of age-restricted housing units to non-age-restricted housing units and modifies laws concerning affordable housing. *
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for active duty members of United States Armed Forces, Reserve components thereof, and National Guard from New Jersey. *
Extends service prevailing wage requirements to food service contracts and to local units and State authorities.
In committee · 102
Establishes "Grandparenting Resource Center Pilot Program"; appropriates $1,500,000.
Requires all personal audio players distributed in New Jersey to contain a warning about volume and hearing loss.
The "Smart Container Act."
Provides for conscientious exemption to mandatory immunizations.
Establishes a State aid program for charter school facilities.
Requires informational posters about safe placement alternatives for newborn infants be posted in public restrooms used by females.
Eliminates awards of punitive damages against municipalities and boards of education, and against employees of municipalities and boards of education acting within the scope or under color of their office, employment or agency.
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
"Billy's Law"; establishes Council on Out-of-State Placement of Children and registry of qualified out-of-State residential schools and programs in DCF.
Permits municipality to enact ordinance to curb gang related loitering and criminal activity.
Requires health care facilities to report certain information about their health care staff to their respective professional boards or DHSS.
Makes chief of police contractual municipal employee and establishes in DLPS "Chiefs of Police Performance Evaluation Commission."
Modifies intent, purpose and standard of construction of "Municipal Land Use Law."
Modifies rule governing decisions under the "Municipal Land Use Law."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Clarifies that advertisements by persons licensed to practice medicine and surgery are subject to the Consumer Fraud Act.
"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.
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.
"Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act"; appropriates $75,000.
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.
Provides for commencement of short term tax exemptions and abatements as of date of completion of project.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
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.
Prohibits the use or possession of cellular picture phones to invade another person's privacy and prohibits camera or picture cell phones in schools.
Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for those persons currently residing in nursing facilities, State hospitals or State developmental centers.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Allows veteran or personal representative to withdraw honorable discharge papers from county clerk.
Expands eligibility for NJ Distinguished Service Medal and commemorative Vietnam service medal and ribbon to certain long-term and former State residents.
Dedicates certain sales and use taxes collected to "Veterans' Services Fund."
Creates New Jersey Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act of 2006.
Establishes Commission on Women Veterans.
Regulates operation of sweepstakes in New Jersey.
Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities.
Concerns workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer.
Requires DMVA to send Servicemembers' Advisory Notice to members of National Guard called to active duty.
Establishes Office of Airline Consumer Advocate and consumer bill of rights for airline passengers.
Establishes a pilot program in DOE for the organization of a county administrative school district.
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.
Repeals cosmetic medical procedure gross receipts tax.
Requires reporting of public high school, district and Statewide drop-out and graduation rates.
Expands wrongful death act to allow recovery for mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of society and loss of companionship.
Raises age requirement of compulsory school attendance from 16 to 18 years old.
Provides PFRS members in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.
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.
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.
"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.
Lowers the minimum full-time jobs requirement for business relocation and retention tax credits.
Requires Attorney General to prepare pamphlet for parents on keeping children safe from predators.
Authorizes civil action for certain economic damages against owner or keeper of pet animal that injures or kills another person's pet animal.
Revises procedures for the use of eminent domain in municipal redevelopment programs.
Removes maximum price limitation for sale of certain tickets of admission to places of entertainment.
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.
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 Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Establishes the "Healthy Workplace Act."
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Provides for voluntary contributions to the "Homelessness Prevention Program" through real estate sales.
Exempts charges for residential storage space and dues for residential health and fitness facilities from the sales and use tax.
Clarifies that Fish and Game Council has sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Establishes Lane Splitting Task Force.
Provides unemployment benefits for certain veterans.
Excludes military compensation of military personnel serving outside of this State from gross income tax.
Requires under "Fair Housing Act" that certain percentage of affordable housing be reserved for very low income households.
Requires DYFS to take certain actions to ensure caseworker safety.
Provides that certain disabled veterans may purchase special automobile insurance policies.
Exempts certain databases from public access under Open Public Records Act under certain circumstances.
Requires prices to be quoted over telephone.
Authorizes "100 percent Disabled Veteran" license plates for qualified veterans; entitles holders to handicapped parking privileges.
Provides that gift certificates and cards shall not expire or contain dormancy fees.
"New Jersey G.I. Bill"; provides higher education benefits to New Jersey veterans.
Establishes division in Department of Treasury to oversee and enforce equal employment opportunity requirements with regard to public works contracts.
Requires nursing homes and ambulatory surgical facilities to implement infection prevention programs.
Allows gross income tax deduction for 50% of contributions of $100 or more to domestic violence shelters.
Prohibits the sale of certain children's products containing lead, mercury, or cadmium.
Permits advertising on exterior of school buses.
Requires date of purchase and return policy on sales receipts.
Provides for increase in allowance paid to veterans with certain wartime service-connected disabilities.
Supplemental appropriation of $12 million to DHS to increase the salary of direct care employees at community mental health agencies.
Expands the provisions of Operation Recognition to veterans of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Prohibits hospital from charging patient or third party payer for costs associated with certain hospital-acquired conditions.
Modifies "Revenue Allocation District Financing Act" and "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law" to increase availability of revenue allocation district financing; modifies "Redevelopment Area Bond Financing Law" and authorizes special assessments for envi
Requires three specific categories of public members on Board of Medical Examiners.
Prohibits businesses that outsource jobs overseas from receiving State contracts or grants; prohibits investment of State funds in such businesses.
Provides prescriber or health care facility with discretion to number prescription blank forms consecutively.
Removes confidential employee status of certain Casino Control Commission employees.
Establishes an urban job training and resource center for certain women.
Expands eligibility under "Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Act."
Regulates the sale of dextromethorphan.
Requires State Treasurer to organize and publish certain contract and grant data and information on State expenditure Internet website.
Prohibits permanent change of child custody during period of active military service; provides that absence due to active military duty, by itself, is insufficient justification to modify a child custody or visitation order.
Establishes task force to study issues facing returning members of the United States Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard and make recommendations on how State should address issues.
Requires physicians to provide patients opportunity to undergo obstetrical ultrasound or sonogram within 48 hours of performing abortion.
Extends eligibility for $250 property tax deduction to veterans of Operation "Praying Mantis."