Bills in the 2026–2027 Session, Senate.
Declan J. O'Scanlon Jr.
Sponsored
Passed the Senate1
Allows law enforcement agencies to distribute epinephrine to officers; requires training.
Out of committee1
Concerns parking violations that obstruct NJT bus stop zones; establishes pilot program for parking violations that obstruct certain bicycle lanes.*
In committee74
Expands categories of individuals who may bring a claim under wrongful imprisonment statute.
Creates crime of fiscal victimization against senior citizens or disabled persons.
Establishes New Jersey Statewide Suicide Prevention Coordination and Oversight Council in DHS.
Permits counties to establish county-municipal courts with limited, countywide jurisdiction.
Requires posted speed limit on certain limited access highways be based on speed at which 85 percent of vehicles are traveling; designated as Speed Limit Sanity Act.
Increases term of municipal court judge to five years.
Provides for development of searchable "Municipal Penalty Database."
Prohibits bill certified for fiscal note or estimate from being released from committee without fiscal note or estimate.
Establishes certain animal abuse offenses committed in manner manifesting extreme indifference to value of animal's life as crime of second degree; designated as "River's Law."
Criminalizes impounding cat or dog in shelter, pound, or kennel without consent of other party.
Increases penalties for purposely desecrating any public monument, insignia, symbol, or structure, or place of worship or burial.
Requires school districts to incorporate age-appropriate instruction on menstrual toxic shock syndrome and requires installation of signage in certain women's rooms to enhance public awareness of menstrual toxic shock syndrome.
Increases membership and provides for certain meeting requirements of Council on Local Mandates.
Prohibits payment to public employees at retirement for certain unused sick leave, provides for forfeiture of payment for unused sick leave for certain criminal convictions, and requires documentation for use of sick leave.
Revises Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid program; requires all energy taxes to be paid directly to municipalities.
Provides act of domestic violence or child endangerment committed during state of emergency may be classified one degree higher than underlying offense.
Removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers who have investigative encounter with underage person for possession of alcohol or cannabis unless civil rights are violated.
Requires Governor to transmit budget sustainability statement along with annual budget message.
Extends eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans.
Eliminates requirement for State residency for public officers and employees with limited historic exceptions.
Limits increase of assessed value of property subject to appeal judgment following implementation of reassessment.
Permits Legislature to terminate certain declarations by Governor for state of emergency or public health emergency and limits duration of such declarations unless Legislature approves extension.
Allows credit against corporation business tax and gross income tax liability for employing persons with a developmental disability.
The "School Safety and Security Act"; establishes penalties for certain criminal acts committed on school property.
Requires Petroleum Products Gross Receipts Tax rate reduction if certain Legislative action is taken that includes increases in other State tax rates and revenue; dedicates revenues from certain sales and use tax increases to "Transportation Trust Fund Account."
Requires Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission to study financial impact of all enacted mandated health benefits.
Requires certain doctors and nurses to ask patients questions regarding menstrual cycles, previous tampon use, and toxic shock syndrome.
Requires menstrual products include ingredient list; requires toxic shock syndrome warnings be printed on tampon package.
Permits taxpayers to deduct the total amount of State property taxes paid on principal residence from gross income tax obligation.
Establishes price preference program on State contracts for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
Requires that in-service training for school employees on safety and security include component on behavioral threat assessment.
Requires Commissioner of Education to review school safety and security plans.
Requires Police Training Commission to adopt training course on school emergency response.
Provides that school district may not prohibit active or retired law enforcement officer or registered security officer from carrying firearm in performance of school security duties if authorized under State law to carry.
Directs Attorney General to establish program for anonymous reporting of potential threats to school safety.
Permits use of tents and other fixtures for outdoor dining on certain property.
Requires school districts to institute policies to improve emergency communications to increase school security.
Requires emergency medical technicians and firefighters to receive training concerning electric vehicle fires.
Prohibits certain non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions in employment contracts.
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to appoint special auditor to investigate claims of abuse of public funds at public institutions of higher education.
Requires municipalities to publish employee supplemental payment policies electronically and to provide enhanced notice and oversight of payments.
Establishes Office of Leave Time Compliance in DCA to ensure municipal, county, and school district compliance with accumulated sick leave and vacation leave laws.
Restricts authorization of new debt by State Treasurer.
Expands prosecutor's ability to motion for transfer of certain juvenile delinquency cases to adult court.
Requires registration and regulation of certain hemp-derived cannabinoids manufactured and sold in this State.
Permits court to incarcerate persons who violate conditions of special probation; requires monitoring of incarcerated person.
Requires pretrial detention of defendant who violates conditions of pretrial release.
Requires court to provide certain defendants with referral for mental health and substance abuse evaluation.
Credits $2.35 billion to "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; appropriates $4.32 billion to Department of Treasury to provide funds to municipalities and counties for debt retirement and avoidance.
Reinstates penalty for underage possession and consumption of alcohol and cannabis as disorderly person offense.
Protects children from certain mandatory vaccinations as a condition of school attendance.
Provides full forfeiture of pension of elected or appointed official convicted of any crime touching office.
Requires Governor to file annual report disclosing expenditures made from funds provided as allowance.
Clarifies that certain beach owners and lessees have no duty to keep beach safe or to warn of hazards; provides immunity from liability, in certain cases, for injuries occurring on beach or in adjacent waters.
Exempts from sales and use tax sales of carbon monoxide detectors and any device or equipment sold for residential use to detect, warn of, abate, or extinguish fires.
Requires additional information in assessment notices required to be provided to property taxpayers.
Prohibits State from disclosing New Jersey driver's license holders' personal information to other states seeking to issue speed camera or red light camera citations.
Provides gross income tax exclusion for capital gains from sale of certain employer securities.
Permits public high school student-athletes to opt out of physical education during their athletic seasons.
Establishes third degree crime for certain trespasses involving victim of domestic violence.
Establishes Bureau of Short-Term Local Government Note Investments and requires bureau to bid on or offer to purchase certain short term obligations issued by local governments.
Requires penalty for false or fraudulent voter registration to be displayed on Motor Vehicle Commission electronic signature pads.
Requires DOT to study use of zipper merge method on State roadways.
Requires school district capital project referendums to be voted on at primary or general elections, or certain municipal or special elections.
Establishes that final restraining order survives plaintiff's death where other persons are also protected; requires prosecutors to provide notice of defendant's release to other persons protected by order.
Regulates medication administration in certain residential facilities.
Establishes certain requirements for asserting cause of action under consumer fraud act and limits awarding of attorneys' fees.
Permits refund of additional fee paid in excess of one percent of consideration of certain real property transfers if contract was executed prior to July 10, 2025.
Permits certain passenger automobiles to be registered for more than one year.
Establishes process for submittal and publication of proposed revisions to Governor's budget recommendations and requires publication of proposals by June 1 annually.
Clarifies applicability of "School Ethics Act" to personal statements of board members.
Moves fire district elections to date of general election in November.
Increases grant limit for reassignment of employees to State in certain cases; requires publication of guidance and authorizes State intervention for income tax refund claims filed outside State.
Revises statutes concerning assessment of real property.
Filed1
Requires State agency to identify at least two existing rules for repeal for every one new rule adopted.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 6
Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses.
Extends transmittal date deadline for Fiscal Year 2027 gubernatorial budget message to Legislature from fourth Tuesday in February to March 10, 2026.
Modifies certain CAFRA permit review requirements for nuclear facilities.
Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program projects for FY2027.
Makes permanent temporary enactment allowing certain sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages and clarifies privileges.*
Appropriates $77,406,208 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.
Passed the Senate · 8
Requires certain juveniles to appear before court in county where incident giving rise to delinquency complaint allegedly occurred.
Requires information to be provided regarding levels of US Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices under certain circumstances.**
Increases penalties for identity theft when victim is a senior citizen or veteran.
Requires school report card to include information about placement of graduates, including apprenticeships.
Creates disorderly persons offense for persons who conceal or attempt to conceal their identity while committing another crime or offense.
Permits excused absence for students participating in college visits, visits to postsecondary technical institutions, and military recruitment-related activities.
Permits member of New Jersey National Guard to transfer 50 percent of certain tuition benefit to dependent child or 100 percent of certain tuition benefit to spouse.
Modifies geographic restrictions for solar energy projects participating in community solar program.
Out of committee · 19
Permits pretrial detention for contempt violation of protective order issued under "Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act."
Permits waiver of juvenile regardless of age under certain circumstances; makes juveniles eligible for waiver for terrorism and human trafficking.
Requires limited liability company to disclose ownership information when submitting deed for recording and establishes penalty.*
Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.
Establishes Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $3 million.
Establishes "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to support "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" Cop 2 Cop telephone hotline program; appropriates $500,000.
Establishes Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together Program.
Provides workers' compensation benefits for certain public safety workers who developed illness or injury as result of responding to September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.
Eliminates use of census-based funding of special education aid in school funding law.
Requires stress testing on State's ability to provide services in various economic conditions.
Concerns processing of applications for permits, licenses, or certifications in NJ; requires State entities refund application fee in certain circumstances; requires Governor establish target application processing times and permitting and licensing performance dashboard.*
Increases annual limit of total tax credits certified for qualified projects under Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program.
Establishes protected leave under "Family Leave Act" and family temporary disability leave benefits for bereavement for death of child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and certain other circumstances.
Requires State to bear partial cost of transportation of certain homeless students to school.
Exempts volunteer first responder stipends from certain payroll and income taxes.
Modifies process to credential licensed health care professionals in carrier provider network.*
Concerns lung cancer screening awareness and access.
Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2027; makes appropriation.
In committee · 59
Increases criminal penalties if leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor results in injury or death.
Increases penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl.
Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses.
Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings.
Authorizes voluntary donation of expired food or food waste to farmers; authorizes donations if farmer waives liability.
Establishes expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized real property occupants.
Concerns justified use of force and deadly force.
Upgrades burglary of residence to crime of second degree.
Prohibits institution of higher education which boycotts or divests from Israel-supporting or Israeli businesses from receiving State funds.
Requires institution of higher education to adopt policy on use of campus facilities and grounds for camping.
Prohibits institution of higher education from using cultural competency as criteria for consideration in making certain personnel determinations.
Prohibits institution of higher education from establishing scholarship fund or student assistance program limited to students who are citizens or permanent residents of country or territory controlled by terrorist organization.
Allows active duty members of United States military to carry firearm at all times.
Prohibits State contractors from distributing data to foreign adversaries.
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions.
Prohibits aquaculture of any species of octopus for purpose of human consumption.
Establishes grant program for homeless veterans shelters.
Upgrades burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree; requires mandatory period of parole ineligibility if residence was occupied at time of offense.
Establishes Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities.
Requires DMVA assist discharged service members who have diagnosed service-connected mental health condition with petitions to change discharge designation.
Prohibits mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 as condition of attending public K-12 schools.
Requires certain group homes to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas, upon request and with uniform resident consent.
Requires automatic voter registration to be available when applying for certain licenses and permits.
Requires DOE and DCF to establish online reporting systems for schools and child care centers to report lead testing results.
Imposes locational restriction on construction of a new crematory.
Adds fusion to types of Class I renewable energies as defined for purposes of "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act."
Requires converting portion of Paramus and Menlo Park veterans' memorial homes into single occupancy rooms; requires upgrades to ventilation systems; provides Adjutant General discretion for additional room considerations.
Repeals law that requires funds for legislative agents to be assessed on student tuition bills in certain manner.
Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years; prohibits anticipation of certain revenue in municipal budget; requires additional aid be subtracted from municipal property tax levy.
Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.
Reduces amount of supervised counseling experience required for professional counselor licensure.
"Energy Security and Affordability Act"; requires BPU to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability when preparing Energy Master Plan and perform economic and ratepayer impact analysis of energy generation projects and Energy Master Plan.
Concerns vaccine mandates and eligibility for unemployment benefits for certain health care workers.
Regulates residential mental health treatment facilities.
Requires MVC to issue one license plate instead of two.
Eliminates requirement for State residency of public school employees for period of three years.
Requires public transportation employees and certain motorbus operators to complete training course on handling and responding to suspected human trafficking; requires inclusion of certain content in certain courses.
Establishes "Responsible School Violence Prevention, Preparation, and Protection (RSVP-3) Pilot Program."
Establishes Government Efficiency and Regulatory Review Commission.
"Home Business Jobs Creation Act"; classifies certain home businesses as permitted accessory uses.
Establishes "Recovery Tax Credit Program"; incentivizes hiring and continued employment of certain individuals in recovery from substance use disorder.
Requires minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding.
Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Permits individual holding a nursing multistate license to be eligible for school nurse certification.
Prohibits forcibly feeding certain poultry for production of foie gras.
Expands entities that may acquire opioid antidotes; creates program within DOH and formalizes reporting requirements.
Requires Civil Service Commission establish mentoring program for certain civil service firefighter applicants.
Requires certain ambulances to carry epinephrine.
Makes use of front registration plate optional for certain vehicles.
Requires professional boards to issue licenses for veterans with good standing license or certification in another jurisdiction under certain circumstances.
Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.
Directs BPU to establish program concerning renewable natural gas; provides gas public utilities with customer rate recovery mechanism for costs associated with program.
"Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act"; authorizes production and use of psilocybin to promote health and wellness.
Requires Attorney General to compile and publicly report certain statistics pertaining to permits to carry for handguns and firearm purchaser identification cards.
Prohibits charging service fees for NJ EZ-Pass account holders.
Clarifies that amateur sports official is independent contractor for purposes of State employment laws.
Requires State to elect to participate in federal tax credit scholarship program and directs Commissioner of Education to provide required information to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
Prohibits fur farming.
Classifies and regulates electric bicycles.