Bills in the 2020–2021 Session, General Assembly.
Louis D. Greenwald
Sponsored
Became law13
Establishes procedures for awarding of design-build contracts.
Establishes advisory council for the brewery, cidery, meadery, and distillery industries in NJ and provides for funding through certain alcoholic beverage tax receipts.
Enters New Jersey into Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.
Establishes Community College Opportunity Grant Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to provide last-dollar financial aid grants to county college students and Student Success Incentive funding to county colleges.
Creates grant program to encourage school districts to partner with institutions of higher education in training school-based mental health services providers.
Establishes Student Wellness Grant Program in DOE.
Reduces or delays increases in employer unemployment taxes related to benefits paid during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic state of emergency.
Prohibits appeal of land use decision related to holding meeting electronically.
Allows corporations and certain financial institutions to hold remote shareholder meetings. *
Appropriates $87,444,690 from "New Jersey Library Construction Fund" to provide grants for construction, reconstruction, development, extension, improvement, and furnishing of New Jersey's public libraries.
Makes $25 million in federal funds available to Department of State for travel and tourism advertising and promotion for recovery from COVID-19 pandemic. **
Requires DOLWD to provide link to New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on website and in emails concerning unemployment compensation benefits.
Eliminates requirement for DOE to set certain tuition rates for approved private schools for students with disabilities in certain cases.
Vetoed2
Eliminates one percent tax on purchasers of Class 4A commercial property transferred for consideration in excess of $1 million.
Establishes Bridging the Digital Divide in Schools Grant Program in DOE to provide and expand access to technology and equipment for students in certain school districts.
Passed the General Assembly3
Expands indoor capacity for food or beverage establishments and banquet and wedding venues under certain circumstances during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.*
Allows continued use of heaters and tents by food or beverage establishments under certain circumstances during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.*
Includes use of physical barriers as social distancing measure for food or beverage establishments during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.*
Out of committee12
Revises definition of destructive device to include certain weapons of 50 caliber or greater.
Permits eligible immigrants to obtain professional and occupational licenses in State.*
Regulates sale of handgun ammunition and develops system for electronic reporting of firearm information.
"Electronic Construction Procurement Act."
Requires State Treasurer to make loans to casino gaming properties for making required payments in lieu of property taxes to Atlantic City during current public health emergency and state of emergency.
Provides temporary modifications to payment and use of certain casino gaming taxes and fees; permanently redifines promotional gaming credits to include certain coupons and table game wagers; requires priority funding for senior and disabled transporation
Requires ABC to waive fee for alcoholic beverage COVID-19 Expansion Permit.
Allows deduction from tax of certain expenses when taxpayer's federal paycheck protection program loan is forgiven and excludes those forgiven loans from gross income tax.
Concerns matters related to operations and obligations of casino gaming properties and finances of Atlantic City.
Concerns liability of certain non-profit and governmental employers for unemployment benefits paid during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic state of emergency. *
Temporarily modifies taxes and credits of casino licensees; permanently redefines promotional gaming credits to include certain coupons and table game wagers; requires priority funding for senior and disabled for senior and disabled transportation service
Requires EDA to establish loan program to assist certain businesses with funding to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
In committee64
Removes plenary retail distribution license limit for certain stores.
Establishes limited retail religious distribution license.
Decreases the premium receipts tax for surplus lines insurance coverage.
Decreases rental motor vehicle surcharge from $5 per day to $2 per day.
Authorizes State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation; makes appropriation.
Establishes teacher recruitment grant program in DOE; appropriates $6 million to DOE.
Revises law concerning the rights and responsibilities of motor vehicle franchisees and franchisors.
Provides a plan to rebalance State resources to provide community services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities.
Requires DEP to submit annual financial report on status of certain fund balances.
Provides that cabinet-level public officials, Attorney General, and county prosecutors may serve in acting capacity for no longer than six months without nomination.
Excludes certain services rendered in connection with installation of carpeting and other flooring from sales and use tax.
Modifies education requirement for licensure by the NJ State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.
Requires data collection and issuance of report on drug evidence testing by New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences.
Authorizes conversion of certain office parks and retail centers to mixed-use developments.
Establishes 180 day prohibition on purchase of handgun for certain individuals who fail to report loss or theft of firearm.
Revises and renames NJSTARS; repeals NJSTARS II; establishes NJ HonorScholars Program.
Requires State Board of Education high school graduation requirements include instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt; requires high school students to meet with guidance counselor to discuss tuition assistance and dual enrollment
Directs BPU to establish two-year innovative drinking water supply and wastewater infrastructure grant program.
Restricts authority to terminate reciprocal personal income tax agreements with other states.
"Food Desert Elimination Act"; provides incentives to supermarkets and grocery stores that locate in "food deserts."
Clarifies intent of P.L.2018, c.74 regarding local government utility connection fees.
Allows gross income tax deduction for certain qualified charity care services provided by qualified physicians.
Concerns prevailing wage payments in residential construction projects.
Shortens certain school board members' terms when annual school election is moved from November to April; requires approval of both school board and municipal governing body in order to move school election from November to April.
Establishes "County Jail Rehabilitation and Re-Entry Program" to evaluate county inmate needs; assigns certain county caseworkers to assist inmates in accessing appropriate benefits, treatment, and services.
Requires DOC and DHS to pre-enroll inmates in Medicaid; establishes Medicaid enrollment course for inmates within DOC.
Requires Medicaid cover professional violence prevention counseling services.
Requires certain public contract bid advertisements to contain certified cost estimate ranges, specifies grounds for rejection of all bids, and requires 50% guaranty on bids; designated as the Fairness in Bidding Act.
Allows municipalities and boards of education to jointly contract for certain group insurance benefits for their employees.
Requires report and public hearing prior to DEP recommendation of site for inclusion on Superfund list.
Revises certain requirements for individual and small employer health benefits plans and for small employer members of multiple employer welfare arrangements.
Establishes "Einstein Scholars Program."
Requires institutions of higher education to send out annual student debt letters; requires students enrolled in public institutions of higher education to complete course on student loan debt repayment.
Prohibits toll-free passage for SJTA employees, officers, and members except while commuting or carrying out official duties.
Requires Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to design and make available to public a webinar on TDI, family temporary disability leave, and family leave.
Realigns the transfer inheritance tax payment due date to coincide with the payment due dates for federal estate taxes.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support public humanities programming in NJ.
Authorizes school district that moves its annual school election to November to submit separate proposals for additional spending for budget year and subsequent budget year.
Modifies requirements for preliminary site plans and subdivisions under Municipal Land Use Law.
Authorizes expenditures from open space trust funds to develop or maintain recreation and conservation land although the land was not acquired by the municipality.
Increases dedication of certain revenues to "New Jersey Wine Promotion Account."
Establishes "New Jersey Economic and Fiscal Policy Review Commission" to provide ongoing review of State and local tax structure, economic conditions, and related fiscal issues.
Allows gross income tax deduction for employees for amounts paid by employers for certain educational assistance programs for employees and for employee's student loans.
Requires Treasurer and Divisions of Pensions and Benefits and Investment Directors to report on status of State-administered pension plans to Legislature by May 15 and November 15 each year.
Clarifies that local governments may accept certain electronic payments.
Excludes unemployment benefits paid during coronavirus pandemic state of emergency from calculation of employer unemployment contributions and payments in lieu of contributions.
Establishes three-year nonpublic school pupil transportation pilot program in participating counties to provide funding to county consortiums of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.
Grants immunity from liability to institutions of higher education and certain employees for damages resulting from novel coronavirus disease.
Requires DOE to provide funds to school districts for acquisition of technology devices to address digital divide and requires districts to reimburse DOE from available federal funds.
Requires law enforcement agency to provide copy of certain police reports to crime victims.
Establishes hospitality business winter preparation purchase or reimbursement program in EDA; appropriates $50 million to EDA from federal funds.
Requires publication of guide for licensure as integrated care facility; assigns DOH and DHS employees to communicate with facilities.
Establishes pilot programs for 24-hour urgent care for behavioral health and 24-hour county substance use disorder crisis centers; revises requirements to become authorized medication-assisted treatment provider; appropriates $7 million.
Requires DHS to establish two-year Regional Community Behavioral Health Pilot Program.
Requires DOH to establish Community Health Center Integrated Care Loan Program; appropriates funds for purposes of loan program.
Establishes pilot program to refer certain emergency department patients for development of coordinated behavioral health care treatment and support services plan.
Establishes healthcare careers pilot program for certain institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Provides for free mental health screen tool and reimbursements to certain mental health care providers; appropriates $15 million from available federal funds.
Establishes New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under gross income tax for certain home purchases during qualified periods by first-time homebuyers.
Establishes program in DOLWD to connect persons with disabilities with job training and employment.
Requires municipality to return to taxpayer property taxes paid in error due to assessor's or owner's mistake.
Provides certain volunteer and other workers with maximum compensation benefit for workers' compensation claim regardless of outside employment.
Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits.
Allocates sufficient funds to unemployment compensation fund from federal government assistance and halts increases in employer unemployment taxes related to benefits paid during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic state of emergency.
Carried from the Senate
Became law6
"Electronic Construction Procurement Act."
Allows deduction from tax of certain expenses when taxpayer's federal paycheck protection program loan is forgiven and excludes those forgiven loans from gross income tax.
Concerns liability of certain non-profit and governmental employers for unemployment benefits paid during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic state of emergency. *
Temporarily modifies taxes and credits of casino licensees; permanently redefines promotional gaming credits to include certain coupons and table game wagers; requires priority funding for senior and disabled for senior and disabled transportation service
Concerns matters related to operations and obligations of casino gaming properties and finances of Atlantic City.
Requires EDA to establish loan program to assist certain businesses with funding to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
Passed the Senate1
Provides temporary modifications to payment and use of certain casino gaming taxes and fees; permanently redefines promotional gaming credits to include certain coupons and table game wagers; requires priority funding for senior and disabled transportatio
Co-sponsored
Became law · 14
"New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020"; provides for administration of programs and policies related to jobs, property development, food deserts, community partnerships, small and early stage businesses, State procurement, wind energy, and film produc
Revises psychologist training requirements.
Concerns sign fabrication and prevailing wage requirements. *
Criminalizes certain payments for referral of patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities.*
Authorizes EDA to make grants during periods of emergency declared by Governor and for duration of economic disruptions due to emergency; allows EDA to grant certain business documentation submission deadline extensions.
Permits corporations to hold shareholders' meetings in part or solely by means of remote communication during state of emergency.
Extends certain permits, approvals, and deadlines during COVID-19 emergency.*
Requires DCF to give priority to certain school districts with student mental health counseling centers in awarding grants under School Based Youth Services Program.
Establishes certain requirements concerning State's preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Extends time period during which seasonal retail consumption license holders may sell alcoholic beverages following COVID-19 pandemic.
Makes $35 million in federal funds available to EDA to support food and beverage establishments in need.*
Extends period of municipal stabilization and recovery, with certain modifications, under "Municipal Stabilization and Recovery Act."
Ensures student well-being during school security drills.
Permits volunteer paramedics to operate within mobile intensive care units.
Vetoed · 1
Establishes expedited construction inspection program.
Passed the General Assembly · 10
Requires each county to establish inmate reentry services committee.
Provides for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in this State.
Requires school districts to take certain actions in circumstances when school meal bill is in arrears; prohibits shaming students with school meal bills in arrears; prohibits certain district actions in collecting unpaid school meal fees.*
Provides that institutions of higher education may permit final-year students in graduate degree programs for mental health care professions to graduate or be matched with residency or clinical programs early.
Defers ambulatory care facility gross receipts assessment payment due on June 15, 2020 by 90 days.*
Establishes "Student Mental Health Task Force." *
Permits certain mental health professionals working in school districts to refer or help facilitate referral of students to private professional counselors.
Dedicates personal protective equipment to long-term care facilities, home health agencies, hospice care providers, health care service firms, PACE programs, and certain community-based providers during public health emergency.***
Eases certain food and beverage establishment tent requirements during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.*
Establishes Alleviating Learning Loss in New Jersey Grant Program in DOE to assist public schools in establishing or expanding certain educational programs to address learning loss in students.
Out of committee · 14
Requires SEHBP and eligible employers that do not participate in the SEHBP to provide certain plans for public education employees and certain public education retirees.
Requires State and county correctional facilities to offer inmates hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing.
Eliminates restriction on sale of beer by limited brewery licensee for on-premises consumption only when in connection with tour; requires licensee to provide tours during certain business hours.
Permits physical therapists to perform dry needling under certain circumstances.
Requires institutions of higher education and public and nonpublic high schools and middle schools to adopt anti-hazing policies; expands activities encompassing criminal hazing and upgrades penalties for engaging in these activities. **
Allows hospitals to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for individuals who are homeless or housing insecure.*
Concerns business interruption insurance during coronavirus disease 2019 state of emergency.
Authorizes pharmacists to order and administer test for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) consistent with federal guidance; requires health benefits and Medicaid coverage for tests.*
Requires State to enter into contract for COVID-19 testing kits for purchase by institutions of higher education.
Provides supplemental payments to long-term care facility staff providing direct care services during COVID-19 pandemic.
Provides that firearms purchaser identification card is valid for four years; requires training prior to issuance of firearms cards and handgun purchase permits; revises procedures for passing of firearms to heir or legatee.
Directs BPU to establish program concerning renewable natural gas; provides gas public utilities with customer rate recovery mechanism for costs associated with program.
Requires newly manufactured semi-automatic handguns to be micro-stamped; establishes handgun database.
Raises statutory threshold for certain public bidding, permits bidder disqualification due to prior negative experience, adds exemptions to public bidding requirement under "State College Contracts Law," and establishes process for cooperative pricing sys
In committee · 18
Permits certain physical therapists to perform dry needling.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Requires suspension of certification of homemaker-home health aides under certain circumstances; designated as "Maria's Law."
Authorizes special license plate for distinguished service medal recipients.
Requires DOH to establish maternity care evaluation protocols.
Directs DOH to develop standardized perinatal health curriculum for community health workers.
Authorizes use of county inmate welfare funds for certain reentry services.
Revises certain laws concerning domestic violence and firearms.
Codifies Executive Order No. 21 of 2018 and directs Attorney General to issue reports concerning guns used in commission of crimes in State.
Establishes certain criminal penalties for possession and transfer of firearms and ammunition to disqualified person.
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.
Requires uniform response procedures for all domestic crisis teams established or participated in by law enforcement agencies, and strengthens Statewide supervision over teams.
Requires Attorney General to establish Statewide gun buyback program.
Permits county improvement authorities to establish student loan refinancing loan programs.
Allows gross income tax deduction for employees for amounts paid by employers for certain educational assistance programs for employees and for employee's student loans.
Extends gross income tax medical expense deduction to certain cord blood banking services.
Directs AOC to establish implicit bias training for judges and judicial personnel.
Establishes general immunity for entities, including non-profits and governments, and institutions of higher education, and their officers, employees, and agents, against actions relating to Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic or related viral strain in sub
Filed · 1
Provides civil and criminal immunity to certain health care professionals and health care facilities during public health emergency and state of emergency; facilitates issuance of certain temporary licenses and certifications during public health emergenc