Bills in the 2020–2021 Session, General Assembly.
Joe Danielsen
Sponsored
Became law6
Allows extension of certain local government timeframes; allows local governments to accept certain payments; allows local governments to conduct certain meetings remotely; adjusts certain property tax distribution and notice requirements.
Requires State to sell and convey to Educational Services Commission of New Jersey certain land and improvements known as Piscataway Regional Day School.
Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to finance aviation and marine infrastructure projects; makes various other changes to bank's enabling act.
Requires administrator and assistant administrator at State veterans' memorial home have prior work experience in clinical setting.
Revises law concerning insurance holding company systems.
Appropriates $80,539,578 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Passed the General Assembly3
Immunizes from civil liability first responders who forcibly enter property to provide emergency assistance.
Requires annual inspection of certain veterinary facilities.
Creates certain protections for insurers and insurance producers engaging in business of insurance in connection with cannabis-related businesses.*
Out of committee6
Prohibits public utility from terminating service for nonpayment unless customer is provided certified letter at least 10 business days prior to scheduled termination date.
Requires financial institutions to cash payroll checks under certain circumstances.
Requires Department of Treasury to review and approve digital payment platform.*
Clarifies notice required to be provided to property taxpayers of a change in interest rate on delinquent property taxes under certain emergency circumstances; permits municipality to extend grace period under certain emergency circumstances.*
Increases thresholds for environmental assessment requirements for certain transportation projects under Executive Order No. 215 of 1989.
Permits operation of pedicabs and alcoholic beverage consumption by passengers of pedicabs in certain circumstances.
In committee25
Establishes offense of criminal mischief committed on historical sites.
Enhances penalties for false incrimination and making fictitious reports.
Designated Kevin Apuzzio's Law; allows municipalities to provide increased survivor pensions for certain volunteer emergency workers and requires municipalities to provide health and life insurance coverage to volunteer firefighters.
Establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program.
Requires development of longitudinal data system that maintains individuals' data from preschool through entry into workforce.
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to establish performance-based funding plans for public institutions of higher education.
Exempts experienced firefighters from certain requirements.
Provides adjustment to school district tax levy cap for expenditures associated with opening of new school facility during budget year.
Designates "New Jersey State Song" as State song.
Prohibits smoking within 20 feet of areas outside of indoor public places or workplaces.
Authorizes establishment of charter school payment reserve account in school districts.
Requires certain veterinary facilities to obtain signed consent form for unsupervised overnight stays of domestic companion animals.
Establishes certain procedural requirements to enroll or withdraw child from school district.
Provides certain protections for temporary laborers.
Permits member of Judicial Retirement System to defer retirement to serve as county prosecutor.
Modifies various aspects of charter school program including approval, student admissions and enrollment procedures, and board of trustee membership.
Establishes position of Ombudsman of Student Discipline to serve within Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
Establishes motor vehicle insurance compliance programs; allows law enforcement agencies to utilize license plate readers to enforce motor vehicle insurance requirements.
Authorizes sewerage authority to distribute live recordings of certain public hearings in lieu of transcript requirement.
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having service-connected permanent disability; extends eligibility to veterans suffering from mental illness; establishes eligibility of property owned by disabled veteran wi
Exempts sale of recreational safety helmets from sales and use tax.
Allows municipalities to transfer inactive alcoholic beverage retail licenses for use in redevelopment, improvement, or revitalization areas under certain circumstances.
Permits members of Legislature to enroll in SHBP.
Adopts State definition of Islamophobia for certain civil and criminal purposes.
Prohibits owner or operator of parking facility from preventing customer from leaving due to malfunction of parking facility payment process.
Carried from the Senate
Became law1
Increases thresholds for environmental assessment requirements for certain transportation projects under Executive Order No. 215 of 1989.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 24
"New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act"; legalizes personal use cannabis for certain adults, subject to State regulation; decriminalizes small amount marijuana and hashish possession; removes marijuana
Establishes "Broadband Access Study Commission." *
Prohibits municipal licensure of children operating temporary businesses.
Directs the development and posting of notices containing information for victims of human trafficking.
Establishes Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant Program in DOE; appropriates $1 million.*
Establishes "Electronic Permit Processing Review System."
Requires electric public utilities to provide priority power restoration to certain medical facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.
"Daniel's Law" prohibits disclosure of certain personal information of active, formely active, and retired judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, and their family members; establishes crime and civil action for disclosing such infor
Creates New Jersey Global War on Terrorism Medal.
Revises provisions of State law concerning claiming and proper disposal of cremains of veterans and eligible spouses or dependents.
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to streamline SNAP application process for senior citizens and conduct outreach regarding senior SNAP participation.
Requires law enforcement agencies in this State to establish minority recruitment and selection programs; establishes reporting requirement.
Provides county clerks with additional week to mail ballots for 2020 primary election; requires ballot position draw to occur one day early if statutory date falls on holiday.*
Allows veteran or personal representative to withdraw honorable discharge papers from county clerk.
"Defense Against Porch Pirates Act"; amends theft statute.
Requires long term care facilities and hospitals to maintain minimum supply of personal protective equipment.*
Establishes additional requirements for DOH to assess sanctions and impose penalties on nursing homes; revises reporting requirements for nursing homes.*
Extends time period during which seasonal retail consumption license holders may sell alcoholic beverages following COVID-19 pandemic.
Raises from 45 to 57 maximum eligibility age for exempt fireman certificates and membership in New Jersey State Fireman's Association.
Requires certain insurers to provide summary concerning business interruption insurance.*
Establishes minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain products sold, offered for sale, or leased in the State.
Increases number of hospitals eligible for highest amount of charity care subsidy payment; appropriates $30 million. *
Mandates periodic cancer screening examinations for firefighters enrolled in SHBP. *
Awards school security project grants under "Securing Our Children's Future Fund" for certain school districts; appropriates $5,150,531.
Vetoed · 1
Permits use of virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement under certain circumstances.
Passed the General Assembly · 20
Requires telecommunications companies to provide prorated refunds for service outages of longer than 72 hours.
Clarifies that persons may execute legal signatures through handwriting, electronic signing, or use of fingerprint, thumbprint, or other identifying mark.*
Makes General Fund supplemental appropriation of $50,000 to DMVA for air quality studies to support campaign for award of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jets at 177th Air National Guard base.
Exempts certain veterans from driver's license fee, motorcycle license fee, and digitized picture fee.
Exempts discharge of student loan debt of certain veterans through the federal Total and Permanent Disability discharge process from taxation under the gross income tax.
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to study prevalence, cost, and quality of certain on-line courses compared to traditional classroom courses offered by institutions of higher education.
Requires discrimination prevention training for certain providers of services to senior citizens.
Requires State department, agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof to provide link on its website for members of public to submit complaints.
Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by licensed health care professionals before return to school; requires school districts to provide restrictions or limitations to student as needed.
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.*
Requires school district to establish "School Meal Fund" to assist students with school meal bill in arrears.
Requires electronic voting system vendors disclose financial ties prior to electronic voting system approval by Secretary of State.
Establishes notification standards for certain service contracts with automatic renewal.
Increases fines for failing to report suspected abuse or exploitation of institutionalized elderly person.
"Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Act."
Establishes task force to examine issues and make recommendations concerning youth sports, including abusive coaching, confrontational parents, and bullying of players.
Provides paid leave without utilizing accumulated leave time for local government employees under certain circumstances.
Restricts use of certain data collected for purposes of contact tracing related to COVID-19 pandemic.
Establishes certain guidelines for health insurance carriers concerning step therapy protocols.
Requires DEP to prioritize funding for environmental infrastructure projects for applicants with established program to employ, at project or related facilities, local residents or residents of nearby urban aid qualifying municipalities.*
Out of committee · 56
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 DCA to provide certain information on low-income home energy assistance program, annually update its low-income home energy assistance program handbook, and provide quarterly training sessions on administering program.
Concerns arbitration for certain non-teaching school staff.
Provides for preparation and distribution of written notice to senior citizens concerning risks and prevention of fraud and identity theft.*
Establishes Veterans Assistance Grant Program for nonprofit organizations to provide certain services to veterans.
Permits DMVA to receive voluntary contributions for veteran suicide prevention public service announcements.
Requires DOH to develop and implement plan to improve access to perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening.*
Requires certain health care professionals to undergo explicit and implicit bias training.*
Requires school districts and charter schools to report discipline data on their websites and to Commissioner of Education; requires DOE to establish database and complete annual report concerning student disciplinary actions.*
Requires certain public venues and places of worship to submit emergency plans to law enforcement agencies for purpose of preparing for mass casualty and active shooter events.
Authorizes creation of Woman Veteran license plates.
Requires State entities to recycle certain materials and provide recycling bins in State buildings.
Allows termination of motor vehicle lease in event of death; prohibits imposition of fee for early termination.
Revises provisions required in school district's anti-bullying policy; provides for civil liability of parent of minor adjudicated delinquent for cyber-harassment or harassment; and increases certain fines against parents.*
Requires depository institutions to provide paper account statements to elder adults.
Requires Silver Alert System receive same broadcast alerts as Amber Alert System.
Requires DOE and DCF to establish online reporting systems for schools and child care centers to report lead testing results.
Prohibits provision or sale of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, and polystyrene foam food service products; limits provision of single-use plastic straws; appropriates moneys from Clean Communities Program Fund for public
Requires developers to offer electric vehicle charging stations as option in certain new home construction.
Restricts use of neonicotinoid pesticides.*
Allows NJ gross income tax deduction for charitable contributions of food made from business inventory.
Requires environmental sustainability plan for State House Complex.
Establishes Prescription Drug Affordability Board; appropriates $1,000,000. *
Excludes Armed Services combat zone pay from gross income taxation.
"Healthy Terminals Act"; requires certain airport and train station workers to be paid certain wage rates and benefits.
Requires certain health care providers, SHBP, and School Employees' Health Benefits Program to submit certain health care claims data to DOBI.
Requires State Employment and Training Commission member to specialize in serving transgender communities.
Authorizes Assistant Commissioner of Division of Developmental Disabilities to establish exception rates, and programmatic and staffing requirements, for individuals with highly acute needs.
Requires DMVA notify certain veteran organizations and county officers of names of persons buried or cremated in State veteran cemeteries.*
Requires certain information to increase public awareness and use of voting by mail; requires ceratin mail-in ballots received by county board within 48 hours be considered valid; requires certain mail-in ballots to be retained.*
Renames "board of chosen freeholders" to "board of county commissioners" and "freeholder" and "chosen freeholder" to "county commissioner"; requires counties to update materials to reflect this title change.
Establishes certain rights for students with military obligations attending public institutions of higher education and permits late registration for students with military obligations.
Concerns business interruption insurance during coronavirus disease 2019 state of emergency.
Permits dogs as service and emotional support animals at State veterans' residential facilities.
Authorizes Governor to permit mortgage forbearance and rent payment Provides mortgage payment relief, consumer reporting protection, and eviction protection for resident property owners, tenants and other consumers, economically impacted during time of co
Requires health care facilities to report certain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) data related to health care workers and certain first responders.
Concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by public school districts and county colleges.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2021.
Requires State to enter into contract for COVID-19 testing kits for purchase by institutions of higher education.
Establishes "Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Long-Term Planning Commission" in DHS.
Makes failure to wear mask upon entry into store or transportation publically available, with posted signage, a violation with fine during public emergency declared in Executive Order 103 of 2020 and future public health emergencies.**
Addresses certain landlord expenses in response to COVID-19 pandemic; appropriates $300 million.
Requires DMVA assist service members discharged solely due to LGBTQ status with petitions to change discharge designation.
Allows active duty service members to provide document other than DD-214 when claiming veterans' preference for civil service.
Requires DOE to establish Alternate Route Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program.*
Requires in person early voting period for certain elections; makes appropriation.
Requires DOH to develop Statewide plan for infection control and prevention infrastructure improvements in nursing homes.
Establishes county-based mitigation plan to allow businesses to operate during pandemic.
"New Jersey Buy American Act"; requires certain State agency highway and bridge construction contracts to include iron and steel products made in U.S.
Authorizes imposition of fee for connection to municipal electric distribution system.
Requires DMVA create Bereavement Counseling Program for family members and volunteer caregivers of certain veterans.
Establishes criminal offenses and civil penalties concerning inhumane confinement of breeding pigs and calves raised for veal.
Establishing Advisory Committee on Family Services and Communications in Division of Developmental Disabilities in DHS.
Codifies same-sex marriage in the statutes.
Allows tax credits for nonresidential and multifamily building improvement expenses to reduce spread of COVID-19.*
Authorizes limited breweries and craft distilleries to sell at retail and offer for sampling purposes product bottled and stored off-site under certain circumstances.
In committee · 72
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Increases personal needs allowance to at least $50 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities.
Requires tuition bills of public institutions of higher education to include details on student fees and opt-out provision for student-managed entertainment fees, and requires certain institutions' websites to include student fee information.
Makes persons with New Jersey National Guard service and NGB 22 form eligible for certain veterans benefits.
Permits application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained after January 2003 while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.
Requires Commissioner of Community Affairs to compile and annually update list of all unfunded State and federal mandates on municipalities and counties.
"Transparency in Government Act"; provides for establishment of State public finance website.
Authorizes veterans property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans who did not serve in theater of war.
Establishes minimum certified nurse aide-to-resident ratios in nursing homes.
Provides that amounts remaining in inactive Internet gaming accounts will be abandoned property after three years under unclaimed property law.
Prohibits treatment, discharge, disposal, application to roadway, or storage of wastewater, wastewater solids, sludge, drill cuttings or other byproducts from natural gas exploration or production using hydraulic fracturing.
Clarifies prohibition on preexisting condition exclusions in health insurance policies.
Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage.
Requires notification of local law enforcement prior to expungement of certain mental health records of prospective firearms purchasers.
Requires county colleges to develop plan to achieve three-year graduation rate of at least 33 percent for full-time degree-program students by 2021-2022 academic year.
Requires DEP to adopt Statewide plan to reduce lead exposure from contaminated soils and drinking water.
Delays when medical debt may be sent to collection agency and provides for income-based repayments; provides for deferment and discharge of outstanding medical debt under certain circumstances.
Prohibits application of fiduciary standard to insurance producers; specifies qualifications of persons providing affidavit of merit in lawsuits against insurance producers.
Requires certain health care plans to be offered by SEHBP and local boards of education; requires SEHBP commission to establish employee contribution rates for certain plans; requires local boards of education provide certain information on health care be
Establishes public awareness campaign about Pregnant Women/Women With Dependent Children initiative and Maternal Wrap Around program.
Requires DOE to establish comprehensive searchable website concerning educational programs and resources available to special education students.
Requires commercial Internet website and online service operators to conspicuously post their privacy policy.
Revises health care levy adjustment for school districts; makes various changes for health care benefits for school employees; requires certain information in school budgets; imposes cap on contributions by all public employees for health care benefits.
Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families.
Revises certain laws concerning domestic violence and firearms.
Creates public awareness campaign concerning risks associated with unsecured, Internet-connected baby monitors.
Requires four-year public institutions of higher education to have one veteran coordinator for every 200 veteran students; requires veteran coordinator to work with DMVA to ensure veterans have access to all available services.
Directs New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell to develop cybersecurity best practices and awareness materials for consumers in this State.
Establishes gross income tax credit for cost of certain postage for sending goods to members of United States Armed Forces and National Guard who are serving their country away from home.
Requires young children entering public schools or Head Start Programs for first time to have comprehensive eye examination completed.
Establishes annual cost of living adjustment based on Consumer Price Index for certain children, youth and family services organizations.
Requires in public schools instruction on the contributions of United States veterans and the observance of patriotic exercises on certain holidays.
Establishes pilot project to permit voters in military service on active duty overseas, and their eligible family members, to vote in certain elections using the Internet; makes appropriation.
Establishes Prescription Drug Review Commission; requires production costs be reported for certain prescription drugs.
Requires testing for infectious disease for certain persons who have been administered opioid antidote by first responder.
Concerns health insurance benefits for locked-out workers.
Makes FY 2020 supplemental appropriation of $750,000 to DOLWD for continued assistance to State Centers for Independent Living.
Increases certain penalties for violations of wage and hour law.
Requires fire suppression systems in new single and two family homes.
Establishes reasonableness standard for persons lawfully transporting firearm who deviate from course of travel.
Directs certain unclaimed electric and gas utility deposits in Unclaimed Utility Deposits Trust Fund and societal charge revenues to be paid to Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organizations meeting certain eligibility criteria.
Establishes School Security Task Force.
Prohibits public institutions of higher education from increasing resident undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees by more than 4% over the prior academic year.
Requires certain corporations to appoint women to board of directors.
Allows military member to qualify for resident tuition rate at county college.
Requires school security training for persons employed by public and nonpublic schools in substitute capacity and for employees and volunteers of youth programs operated in school buildings.
Requires restaurants to post signs advising customers to notify servers of food allergies; requires restaurant managers to complete food allergen training.
Allows gross income tax deduction for certain student loan interest.
Requires commercial Internet websites and online services to notify customers of collection and disclosure of personally identifiable information and allows customers to opt out.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in, and requires divestment from, 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies.
Allows gross income tax deductions for contributions to NJBEST program and provides distributions from qualified State tuition programs for K-12 expenses are not qualified withdrawals under gross income tax.
Concerns regulation of solid waste, hazardous waste, and soil and fill recycling industries.
Establishes State bank for handling of marijuana-related funds.
Exempts disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients from payment of municipal parking meter fees when vehicle bears veteran's or recipient's special license plate or placard issued by MVC.
Requires public transportation employees to complete training course on handling and responding to suspected human trafficking.
Establishes commission to study impact of certain Medicaid reimbursement rate change on nursing homes.
Requires DMVA to partner with National Guard Association of New Jersey to offer State-sponsored life insurance for members of New Jersey National Guard.
Requires school district to report to DOE on various aspects of computer science courses.
Codifies AG directive concerning criminal investigations of law enforcement use-of-force and in-custody deaths.
Authorizes use of telemedicine and telehealth in connection with medicinal cannabis program for duration of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency.
Clarifies that Division of Mental Health Advocacy in Office of Public Defender is required to represent indigent patients in all mental health commitment proceedings, whether related to inpatient or outpatient treatment.
Requires hospitals and long-term care facilities to maintain 90-day supply of personal protection equipment during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Provides one-time financial assistance grant and one-time special needs grant to veterans or their surviving spouses for COVID-19 related events.
Establishes one-time payment program in Department of Treasury for aid for certain eligible taxpayers; appropriates $35 million.
Requires EDA to provide certain assistance to qualified veterans' organizations.
Expands NJ FamilyCare to ensure healthcare benefits are available to all uninsured children under 19 years of age who live in New Jersey; appropriates $3 million for outreach, enrollment, and retention regarding NJ FamilyCare.
Prohibits persons from receiving compensation for advising or assisting with veterans benefits.
"Reproductive Freedom Act."
Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education for dependents of certain veterans.
Requires DOC to assign transgender inmate to State correctional facility based on inmate's gender identity and use inmate's preferred gender pronoun.
Designates Suicide Awareness & Remembrance flag as official State flag.
Requires DMVA to develop mobile application to provide guidance on available resources to veterans and their families.