Bills in the 2016–2017 Session, Senate.
James Beach
Sponsored
Became law9
Requires board of education to enter into agreement with law enforcement authorities regarding access to live video streams of public school buildings.
Directs Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to forgive certain student loans in the event of student borrower's death or total and permanent disability and grant deferment for temporary total disibility.*
Permits county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages to create Gold Star Parent identification card.
Prohibits investment of pension and annuity funds by State in companies that boycott Israel or Israeli businesses.
Facilitates coordination of land use planning between civilian and military interests to preserve viability of federal military installations within State.
Requires DOLWD to permit veterans and other groups to apply for UI benefits online.
Requires DMVA to notify county veterans' affairs office of death of certain military service members; requires office to have Gold Star liaisons.
Requires Adjutant General to create informational webpage for Gold Star families.
Permits local units and school districts to invest in local government investment pools managed in accordance with applicable Governmental Accounting Standards Board guidelines.
Vetoed1
Establishes Service Dog Pilot Program for inmates in Camden County; appropriates $150,000. *
Passed the Senate2
Permits installation of GPS navigation devices which do not obstruct motor vehicle operator's vision.
Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education to New Jersey residents who are members of reserve component of Armed Forces of United States.
Out of committee28
Grants credit against business income taxes to developer of rental housing reserved for occupancy by veterans.*
Provides for increase and annual adjustment in allowance paid to war veterans with certain service-connected disabilities. *
Establishes veterans' preference for affordable housing in certain housing projects.
Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act; Provides income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.
"Secure Schools for All Children Act"; establishes State aid program for security services, equipment, or technology to ensure safe and secure school environment for nonpublic school students.
Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.*
Requires paint producers to implement or participate in paint stewardship program.
Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.
Expands eligibility to receive the veteran's property tax deduction and the veteran's property tax exemption.
Allows person with allergy to drugs or medications to voluntarily make notation on drivers license.
Requires public institutions of higher education to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans and members of the military.
Provides for licensing of pool and spa service contractors, and pool and spa builders and installers.
Permits registered voters to receive mail-in ballots automatically for all elections under certain conditions.
Requires gubernatorial candidates' statements be posted online.
Establishes Military and Defense Economic Ombudsman in DMVA.*
Establishes New Jersey Military Skills Council.
Provides preference to certain employers applying for workforce development grants.
"The Smarter Lunchroom Act;" promotes healthy food choices in school cafeterias.
Allows "100 percent Disabled Veterans" to receive parking privileges reserved for persons with disability.
Requires DMVA to create registry for organizations providing services to veterans.
"New Voter Empowerment Act"; permits 17 year olds to vote in primary election if they turn 18 years old before next succeeding general election.
Jake's Law; Incentivizes counties to design and construct completely inclusive playgrounds as a priority for State funding for recreational and conservation purposes.*
Permits cosmetology and hairstyling school clinics to charge certain fees for services rendered to general public.
Permits local units of government to enter into shared services agreements with federal military installations located in the State.
Authorizes certain benefits for certain family members of military personnel who died while on active duty.
Establishes Gold Star Family Counseling Program in DMVA; creates tax credit for certain health care professionals.
Establishes Gold Star Family Scholarship Program; appropriates $100,000 from General Fund to Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
Allows domestic violence victims to cancel television and telephone service contracts without paying early termination fee.
In committee71
Creates a civil cause of action for stalking.
Establishes procedures for determining enforceability of standard form contracts; invalidates certain indemnification clauses.
Requires school districts, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education to report allegations of sexual assault to law enforcement.
Provides that information technology professionals who find child pornography on computers must report the finding to law enforcement.
Establishes "School Bus Safety and Child Protection Act," requires periodic criminal background checks for certain school employees; and prohibits interference with school bus monitoring devices.
"Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act"; doubles State survivor pension amounts for beneficiaries of certain deceased volunteer emergency service providers; requires municipal life insurance and burial expenses for volunteer firefighters; permits fire
Increases penalties for failing to secure a child in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat while operating a motor vehicle.
Requires that sexual abuse against a child be reported to law enforcement officials.
Expands school breakfast program to all schools with 5% or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Creates cidery and meadery license.
Makes all persons convicted of sexual assault subject to the No Early Release Act; specifies that any use of force elevates sexual assault to aggravated sexual assault.
Adds as additional aggravating factor in sentencing that the person committed an act of domestic violence in presence of a child under 16 years of age.
Extends post-military service protection against mortgage foreclosure.
Increases income eligibility cap to receive respite care for certain veterans.
Creates financial planning assistance program for disabled veterans and their caregivers.
"Atlantic City Urban Enterprise Zone and Property Tax Relief Act"; creates urban enterprise zone in Atlantic City for 10 years.
Prohibits certain provisions in consumer contracts.
Expands timeframe for renewal of driver's license, registration, and inspection by military personnel and immediate family members under certain circumstances.
Allows veteran or personal representative to withdraw honorable discharge papers from county clerk.
Creates New Jersey Cold War medal.
Establishes new crime of domestic violence committed in the presence of a child.
Makes consent to register with Selective Service part of driver's license application process for males under age 26.
Invalidates consumer contracts which require a waiver of right to file a consumer complaint.
Provides credits under corporation business tax and gross income tax for qualified wages of certain disabled veterans.
Concerns credit card interchange fees and consumer protection.
Establishes certain consumer protections related to arbitration organizations.
Requires State to use certain energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures.
Includes e-mail addresses in list of confidential items to be redacted from public records under OPRA.
Establishes pilot program in Camden County directing MVC to automatically transmit applicant information to Secretary of State for automatic voter registration.
Provides primary and school election sample ballots may be sent to registered voter by electronic mail if so requested.
Establishes annual sales tax holiday for certain sales of personal computers and certain sales of school supplies and equipment during first full weekend of August.
Extends eligibility for $250 property tax deduction to veterans of Operation "Praying Mantis."
Adjusts fee schedule for county and municipal golf courses for certain veterans and service members.
Creates pilot program to fund adult education programs for residents of certain communities.
Requires mail-in ballot applications be available at polling places on election day for voting in future elections; requires poll workers to discuss application instructions with applicant upon request.
Establishes automatic voter registration process using MVC applicant information to be transmitted to Secretary of State; permits applicant to decline voter registration.
Authorizes prescribed burning in certain circumstances.
Requires certain places of public assembly to have automated external defibrillator on-site.
Allows fire district elections to be moved to November; eliminates certain fire district budget referenda; and eliminates certain fire district capital purchase referenda.
Prohibits sex offenders from holding any job, position, or type of employment that primarily consists of contact with children.
Establishes program to provide assistance to qualified veterans in in-patient and out-patient treatment programs to travel to medical counseling in State.
Provides that children under care, custody or supervision of DCPP may not be home-schooled.
Provides same military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated employees of school districts that is provided to certificated employees under current law.
"Holocaust Reparations Tax Exemption Act"; exempts value of certain payments to Holocaust survivors and their eligible descendants from transfer inheritance and estate taxes.
Provides incentives for certain businesses associated with military installations.
Authorizes creation of new POW-MIA license plate.
Prohibits snowplow operators from depositing snow in front of certain access points used by persons with disabilities.
Permits juror donation of statutory juror compensation to New Jersey Vet2Vet Hotline program.
Concerns certain continuing professional education requirements for licensed electrologists.
Provides gross income tax deduction for State fuel taxes paid on purchases of motor fuel for personal use of motor vehicles.
Concerns certain actions brought under "Truth-in-Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act."
Establishes social innovation loan guarantee pilot program and study commission within New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority concerning opioid and other substance use disorders.
Requires consumer notification of vehicle warranty for aftermarket and recycled parts.
Concerns appointment of person to control funeral and disposition of human remains.
Requires counties to make available voluntary medical identification cards containing relevant patient health information.
Requires hospitals to inquire whether patients have substance use disorder and establish protocols for providing or referring to treatment.
Permits patients to indicate that they should not be prescribed opiates and certain other controlled substances in prescription monitoring program information.
Requires certain ratios of school library media specialist to students in public schools.
Creates grant program for business accelerator and incubator networks; transfers $1 million in societal benefits charge revenues to EDA to administer program.
Permits county improvement authorities to establish student loan refinancing loan programs.
Requires Dept. of Agriculture to create clearinghouse website for vendors to provide surplus food to charities in State.
Clarifies certain responsibilities of licensed wineries and retail salesrooms.
Authorizes temporary waiver from requirement that farm winery use NJ grown fruit.
Revises certain licensee filing requirements for alcoholic beverage price lists.
Permits wineries to operate salesrooms in certain municipalities with restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Makes various changes to law governing winery salesrooms.
Exempts certain plenary winery licensees from filing requirements imposed on retail sellers of litter-generating products.
Requires New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require criminal history records check for person to serve as official at athletic events sanctioned by association.
Exempts certain health information contained in 9-1-1 calls from definition of government record.
Prohibits distribution to students of literature that promotes, favors, or opposes candidacy of any candidate for election at any general, municipal, or school election.
Amends "Cable Television Act" to update application processes; clarifies requirements under effective competition and of furnishing financial reports; eliminates BPU approval of certain combinations, mergers, consolidations, or acquisitions.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law14
Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act; Provides income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.
Establishes veterans' preference for affordable housing in certain housing projects.
Establishes Military and Defense Economic Ombudsman in DMVA.*
Permits local units of government to enter into shared services agreements with federal military installations located in the State.
Establishes New Jersey Military Skills Council.
Provides preference to certain employers applying for workforce development grants.
"Secure Schools for All Children Act"; establishes State aid program for security services, equipment, or technology to ensure safe and secure school environment for nonpublic school students.
Requires DMVA to create registry for organizations providing services to veterans.
Allows "100 percent Disabled Veterans" to receive parking privileges reserved for persons with disability.
Allows domestic violence victims to cancel television and telephone service contracts without paying early termination fee.
Provides that school districts and nonpublic schools may receive reimbursement for costs incurred on or after January 1, 2016 for testing school drinking water for lead.*
Establishes Gold Star Family Counseling Program in DMVA; creates tax credit for certain health care professionals.
Authorizes certain benefits for certain family members of military personnel who died while on active duty.
Requires gubernatorial candidates' statements be posted online.
Vetoed3
Provides for licensing of pool and spa service contractors, and pool and spa builders and installers.
"New Voter Empowerment Act"; permits 17 year olds to vote in primary election if they turn 18 years old before next succeeding general election.
Jake's Law; Incentivizes counties to design and construct completely inclusive playgrounds as a priority for State funding for recreational and conservation purposes.*
Co-sponsored
Became law · 16
Establishes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in public and nonpublic schools and county colleges.*
Creates Veterans Diversion Program to divert eligible servicemembers away from criminal justice system and into appropriate case management and mental health services.**
Requires family day care providers and certain household members to undergo criminal history record background checks.
Provides US Armed Forces and Reserves members with protection against interference with their employment, trade or business.
Provides US Armed Forces and Reserves members with protection against interference with enjoyment of any accommodation, facility, public accommodation, or privilege.
Extends full protection of Law Against Discrimination to persons having liability for service in Armed Forces of United States; guarantees equal employment opportunity in State contracting to all veterans.
Requires Commissioner of DCA to promulgate rules and regulations providing for veterans' affordable housing assistance preference.
Expands acceptable military separation forms for county veteran identification card; allows issuance to National Guard veterans of other states.*
Establishes requirements concerning necessary care of dogs, domestic companion animals, and service animals, and for tethering of dogs.*
Establishes special motorcycle license plates for veterans.
Concerns excessive price increases during state of emergency.
Includes students who participate in school intramural sports programs in the student-athlete head injury safety program.
Concerns employee leasing agreements.*
Creates "Nourishing Young Minds Initiative Fund" in Dept. of Agriculture to help pay for child food and nutrition programs.
Extends eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction and disabled veterans' property tax exemption to members of the United States Armed Forces assigned to the rescue and recovery mission at the World Trade Center between September 11, 2001 and May 30
Establishes additional penalties related to child pornography and expands crime to include portrayal of child in sexual manner; establishes crime of leader of child pornography network.
Vetoed · 5
Increases flexibility, clarity, and available tools of optional municipal consolidation process.
Requires Police Training Commission to develop accelerated training course for certain county corrections officers.
Revises certain laws concerning domestic violence and firearms.
Concerns equal pay for women and employment discrimination.
Allows NJ gross income tax deduction for charitable contributions of food made from business inventory.
Passed the Senate · 13
Revises "Pet Purchase Protection Act" to establish new requirements for pet dealers and pet shops.*
Authorizes use of school bus monitoring systems.*
Requires institutions of higher education to provide to prospective students certain cost, loan, and debt information in financial aid shopping sheet.
Permits certain portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans.
"Combat to College Act"; grants priority course registration to military service members and veterans attending public institutions of higher education.
Establishes Task Force on Safety in School Transportation.
Requires institution of higher education to award appropriate credit for student's military service.*
Allows gross income tax deduction for certain student loan interest.
Allows students to use certain grant awards during summer session.*
Prohibits sale of certain toy guns and imitation firearms.
Prohibits use of "Nurse" title by unlicensed person.
Establishes the "Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights."
Requires AG to conduct survey of untested sexual assault examination kits.*
Out of committee · 35
Requires State reimbursement to municipalities of cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption.
Requires annual General Fund appropriation to DMVA for purposes of base realignment and closure.*
Requires life imprisonment without parole for persons convicted of the murder of a minor under the age of 18 in the course of the commission of a sex crime.
Allows fire district elections to be moved to November; eliminates certain fire district budget referenda; and eliminates certain fire district capital purchase referenda.**
Applies certain public contract bid threshold amounts to local pay to play and prevailing wage laws.*
Establishes certainl penalties for operating or participating in pyramid promotional schemes.*
Extends health benefits coverage of a newborn infant.
The "New Jobs for New Jersey Act."
"Early Childhood Innovation Act"; establishes early childhood innovation loan pilot program and study commission within EDA.
Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for personal care services.
Directs Attorney General to develop plan to disseminate Amber and Silver Alert information through social media.
Adds cyber-harassment to the domestic violence statutes.
Establishes Department of Early Childhood.
Requires initial determination of unemployment benefits to be made within three weeks of filing of claim.
Authorizes veterans property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans who did not serve in theater of war.
Requires any POW-MIA flag purchased with State funds be manufactured in United States.
Requires BPU to render decision on case within 12 months of final public hearing or hold another public hearing prior to deciding case.
"New Jersey Housing Assistance for Veterans Act," establishes pilot program to assist certain veterans with housing modification and rehabilitation; appropriates $5 million.
Permits bowling alleys, including alleys licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, to conduct amusement games.
Requires annual school security training for school employees to be conducted collaboratively with emergency responders; requires law enforcement officer to annually attend at least one school security drill.
Requires certain school security measures to be incorporated in architectural design of new school construction and certain school security measures for existing buildings.
Includes all disabled veterans in NJT discount program for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Permits eligible students who are members of United States Armed Forces to wear military uniform at high school graduation.
Concerns employer inquires about worker's wage and salary experience.
Establishes "High School to College Readiness Commission" to examine issues and develop recommendations to enhance student preparation for postsecondary education.
Establishes " New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program"; appropriates $3,000,000 over next three fiscal years.*
Requires school bus transporting students using wheelchairs to be equipped with four-point securement system; requires school bus operator to secure students using wheelchairs.
Provides that school districts and nonpublic schools may receive reimbursement for costs incurred on or after January 1, 2016 for testing school drinking water for lead.*
Requires board of education to post information about child abuse hotline in each school.
Concerns emergency assistance which is repaid by the recipient.
Authorizes municipal governing body to create and maintain list of municipal residents in need of special assistance in case of emergency for public safety purposes.
Designates USS New Jersey as New Jersey State Ship.
Modifies requirements for receipt of distinguished service medal; codifies qualifications for receipt of meritorious service medal.*
Establishes Office of Student Loan Ombudsman; regulates student loan servicers.
Prohibits investment of pension and annuity funds by State in entities that avoid Superfund obligations to State.
In committee · 71
Establishes small business loan guarantee program in EDA to support capital purchases and operating expenses and permits certain qualified businesses in regional centers to qualify for certain EDA loans.
Establishes "Atlantic City Growth Tax Credit Program" to grant tax credits to promote the development of non-rental housing in Atlantic City.
Directs DOT, NJTA, and SJTA to permit certain wineries to participate in certain sign programs on freeways, interstate highways, and toll roads.
Requires sex offenders in satellite-based monitoring program to pay for certain equipment and monitoring costs.
Permits use of virtual instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement under certain circumstances.
Establishes Medicaid Smart Card Pilot Program.
Requires court to consider results of domestic violence assessment before dissolving certain domestic violence restraining orders.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Requires use of electronic mail for community notification under Megan's law.
Creates New Jersey Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act.
Permits municipalities to hold certain inactive liquor licenses reserved for smart growth developments for an additional five years.
Provides an excused absence on Veterans Day for pupil who participates in certain activities for veterans or active duty members of United States Armed Forces or New Jersey National Guard.
Makes a $3 million supplemental appropriation for increased Per Capita Library Aid.
Establishes Commission on Career and Technical Education and creates initiatives that promote career and technical education programs in State.
Requires two-way communications equipment on school buses.
Expands DNA database to include samples from disorderly persons who are fingerprinted and permits law enforcement officers to collect certain biological samples.
Establishes Animal Cruelty Offender Registry; prohibits purchase, adoption, and breeding of animals by animal cruelty offenders.
Provides veterans with up to 60 credits tuition-free at county college serving county of residence.
Authorizes executive county superintendent of schools to require implementation of shared services arrangements.
Establishes the four-year "New Jersey Early Innovation Inspiration School Grant Pilot Program" in DOE to fund non-traditional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs for students in grades K through 8.
Requires employees of private entity with access to student information under contract with DOE, school districts, or charter schools to undergo criminal background check.
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Establishes procedures for awarding of design-build contracts.
Requires dealership to notify buyers of recalls on used motor vehicles for sale.
Revises certain aspects of the New Jersey Individual Development Account Program.
Requires health care practitioners to discuss risk of addiction when prescribing certain drugs to patients who are minors.
Revises statutes concerning firearms purchaser identification cards and handgun purchase permits; makes handgun purchase permit valid for four years.
Requires law enforcement officers to search domestic violence restraining order registry upon conducting an arrest.
Establishes the New Jersey Task Force on Domestic Violence and Abuse.
Prohibits plea bargain if sex offender who committed Megan's Law offense would not be required to register.
Expands registration requirements under Megan's Law to include persons committing human trafficking crimes or engaging in prostitution, when crimes involve minors.
Requires mandatory imprisonment for child luring and requires certain information about Megan's Law to be provided to sex offenders annually.
Allows gross income tax deduction for 50% of contributions of $100 or more to domestic violence shelters.
Concerns victim's right to rape care advocate under certain circumstances.
Requires health benefits coverage for juvenile depression screenings.
Provides rental and lease protections for domestic violence victims.
Establishes the "Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program."
Permits municipalities to provide information on property tax bills concerning amount of local tax dollars saved through shared services.
Expands acceptable military separation forms for county veteran identification card; allows issuance to National Guard veterans of other states; allows issuance only for certain classifications.
Provides certain veteran benefits to veterans of the global war on terror conflicts and those of certain military engagements served during certain periods.
Extends eligibility for $250 property tax deduction to Cold War veterans.
Requires Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with various entities, to design a manufacturing career pathway to provide students with skills necessary to gain employment in manufacturing sector.
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.
Excludes Armed Services combat zone pay from gross income taxation.
Provides for increase and annual adjustment in allowance paid to veterans with certain wartime service-connected disabilities.
Creates crime of home invasion; makes crime subject to No Early Release Act.
Exempts disabled veterans from certain fees at State parks and forests.
Establishes publicly accessible domestic violence Internet registry.
Upgrades crime of stalking when victim is less than 18 years old.
Authorizes "100 percent Disabled Veteran" license plates for qualified veterans; entitles holders to handicapped parking privileges.
Allows termination of motor vehicle lease in event of death; prohibits imposition of fee for early termination.
Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses providing employment to certain National Guard or reservists.
Requires school districts to observe Veterans Day as school holiday.
Requires businesses receiving financial assistance from EDA be prohibited from any gender gap payment practice to their employees.
Concerns special occasion events on preserved farmland at wineries.
Requires Department of Defense and FAA approval of offshore wind projects.
Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunity at county college for certain high school students.
Establishes "Succeed in New Jersey" student loan reimbursement program for certain New Jersey residents employed in designated fields.
Establishes offense of criminal mischief committed on historical sites.
Creates housing purchase matching grant program for members of United States Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard who have served in certain military operations.
"Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act."
Requires video camera on certain school buses with crossing control arms.
Establishes Firearm Violence Research Center at Rutgers, The State University.
Permits retired corrections officer to be appointed Class Three special law enforcement officer.
Expands health insurance coverage for behavioral health care services and enhances enforcement and oversight of mental health parity laws.
"Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances.
Clarifies excuse from jury service for members of the military or reserve under certain circumstances; repeals N.J.S.38A:4-6.
Removes requirement that limited brewery licensees provide tour when selling beer to consumers and permits certain food consumption on premise.
Includes crime of creating false public alarms as form of bias intimidation.
Requires board of education to display information about child abuse hotline in each school.
"Voter Privacy Act"; establishes protections for privacy of voters; prohibits automated programs to remove names of ineligible voters from official lists of eligible voters; prohibits sharing of certain voter information with federal government.