Bills in the 2002–2003 Session, General Assembly.
Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.
Sponsored
Became law5
Allows groups authorized to conduct bingo or raffles to use proceeds for capital improvements in certain instances.
Requires mortgage lenders to include list of financial assistance programs with notice of intention to foreclose.
Requires prequalification of certain persons who perform school construction management services. *
Increases the cigarette tax by 55 cents per pack; redirects additional $190 million annually to health related programs beginning in FY 2004. *
Revises the reserve requirement for school bonds backed by the funds for the support of free public schools.
Passed the General Assembly2
Establishes U.S. citizenship or lawful residence and State residency as requirement for purchasing firearm in New Jersey.
Authorizes the State Board of Education to issue technology education endorsements and requires the board to continue issuing endorsements for industrial arts. *
Out of committee8
Suspends driver's license for possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on public property by persons under 21.
Requires nursing homes to have defibrillator on site and employee trained to use defibrillator.
Allows inactive licensees to complete required continuing education at any time prior to reactivating license.
Requires Commissioner of Education to award a reasonable attorney's fee to school district or parent or guardian under certain circumstances in domicile proceedings.*
Imposes penalty for contributing to high school student-athlete's loss of amateur-athlete status.
Establishes the Governor's Annual Award for Outstanding Educational Services Professionals.
Appropriates $64 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Establishes Inmate Education and Vocational Training Study Commission.
In committee14
Provides that the State shall pay health insurance premiums for survivors of certain police officers in PERS.
Exempts physicians from jury service under certain circumstances.
Regulates use of Social Security numbers.
Provides for maximum rate for transcript fees.
Increases motor vehicle property damages reporting threshold to over $1,000.
Establishes a juror voluntary charitable contribution system.
Criminalizes certain acts involving invading a person's privacy.
Permits local contracting units to award public contracts to certain bidders whose offered price does not exceed price of lowest responsible bidder by more than one percent.
Establishes Historical and Cultural Resources Fund; provides funding through surcharge on entertainment admissions fees.
Permits only licensed chiropractors to perform spinal adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations.
Requires motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers to notify consumers of relevant adjustment programs.
Permits minors to serve food and drinks during bingo games.
Directs Commission on Higher Education to establish program to allow certain volunteers to enroll in four-year public institutions of higher education on tuition-free basis.
Requires insurance coverage for magnetic resonance imaging for women at high risk for breast cancer.
Carried from the Senate
Became law2
Establishes the Governor's Annual Award for Outstanding Educational Services Professionals.
Appropriates $64 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 27
Prohibits utilities from assessing late payment charges to certain customers and prohibits CATV companies from assessing late payment charges less than 30 days past due date of subscriber's bill. *
Reduces blood alcohol level at which a person is considered to be guilty of drunk driving from 0.10% to 0.08%.
Prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls to certain customers.
Doubles the drug enforcement and demand reduction fines imposed for the possession or distribution of certain club drugs. *
Concerns public works contracts and project labor agreements with labor organizations. *
Appropriates $27,242,400 in federal funds for bioterrorism preparedness.
Revises Clean Communities Program and makes available recycling grants to counties and municipalities. *
Places certain juvenile offenders in adult county jails.
Exempts from New Jersey gross income tax the income of victims who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. *
Requires DOE to coordinate sharing of textbooks between school districts.
Criminalizes desecration of human remains.
Authorizes Adjutant General to issue service medal to commemorate 50th anniversary of ending of Korean War; appropriates $5,000.
Increases membership of the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey.
Expands list of crimes for which blood samples are collected for purposes of DNA testing.
Revises investment requirements for charitable gift annuity reserves.
Requires DMVA and DOT to conduct study on feasibility of integrating Civil Air Patrol in State's homeland security initiatives. *
Permits property owners to waive requirements for certain land surveying work.
Provides separate standards for handicapped access in public buildings versus multi-family dwellings.
Establishes procedures for court and DYFS to determine safety of minor child whose child's caretaker is incarcerated. **
Provides collective negotiation procedures for school employee contracts, prohibits imposition of such contracts.
"Danielle's Law"; requires certain staff working with persons with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury to call 911 emergency telephone service in life-threatening emergencies.
Directs DOC and DHS commissioners to develop regulations addressing unique security concerns posed by civilly committed sexually violent predators.
Extends eligibility for State veterans' benefits to veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Establishes a minimum per diem base pay of $100 for members of National Guard called to State active duty.
Provides State-paid health care benefits coverage through SHBP for certain National Guard members called to State active duty for 30 days or more.
Establishes right of person engaged in military service for more than 90 days to cancel motor vehicle lease without penalty.
Establishes Office of the Child Advocate. **
Vetoed · 1
Requires release of bid list prior to bid date under "Local Public Contracts Law."
Passed the General Assembly · 22
Establishes "Pledge for Life and Health" program for elementary school students.
Increases penalty for illegal firearms' sale within 1,000 feet of school.
Permits municipalities to designate stop or yield intersections on streets under municipal jurisdiction.
Provides that DNA test results may be used in establishing parentage.
Upgrades penalty for misusing public utility employee identification badge; establishes penalties for making, selling or possessing simulated public utility employee identification badge.
Directs DOE to identify the content standards and progress indicators for districts which choose to acquaint students with the non-violence philosophy of certain leaders.
Establishes limits on resident's hours in hospitals. *
Repeals charter of New Jersey Detective Agency.
Establishes "Commission to Examine Strategies for Strengthening Familial Bond Between Children and Incarcerated Parents."
Makes it a fourth-degree crime to provide recommended answers to psychological test of law enforcement officers or candidates.
Prohibits transmission of certain unsolicited fax advertisements over telephone lines.
Prohibits certain uses of State funds by contractors and grantees.
Directs Adjutant General of DMVA to develop and report plan to provide home-based and outpatient health care to NJ veterans. *
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Includes certain business practices of cable television companies as violations of "New Jersey Antitrust Act."
Requires county colleges to award college-credits to firefighters for certain courses completed at county fire academies.
Extends military leave benefits for members of the Reserve and National Guard called to federal active duty for extended periods of time.
Excludes housing and subsistence allowances of National Guard members on State active duty from gross income under the gross income tax.
Provides for re-enrollment right or refund of fees for student who is called to active duty for certain military operations.
Establishes a program to provide college scholarships to the spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. *
Prohibits public colleges from charging tuition and fees to students who are spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or in Operation Iraqi Freedom. *
Requires staff members of residential child care facilities to undergo criminal history record background and child abuse record information checks.
Out of committee · 58
Increases drunk driving enforcement surcharge.
Authorizes municipalities to impose room tax on hotels with more than 100 guest rooms.
Provides temporary local budget cap exceptions and school district budget cap adjustments for certain insurance costs and security and public safety costs. *
Designated the "Clean Indoor Air Act."
Requires employers to provide time off from work for members of certain volunteer organizations to respond to fires under certain conditions. *
Allows credit against corporation business tax for computer equipment donated to public or nonpublic schools in Abbott and certain other low-income districts. *
Appropriates $11.295 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for local government open space acquisition and park development projects in central New Jersey.
Establishes driving while fatigued as recklessness under vehicular homicide statute.
Provides compensatory time off for certain essential attendance State employees.
Concerns workers' compensation for occupational disease claims and workers' compensation benefits rates for surviving dependents.
Requires erection of fire barriers in certain cocklofts. **
Exempts certain investment clubs from certain partnership fee and payment requirements.
Revises Clean Communities Program and makes available recycling grants to counties and municipalities.
Appropriates $368,700 to Agricultural Experiment Station for oyster revitalization.
Enacts the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision.
Authorizes an additional urban enterprise zone in New Brunswick.
Provides certain reemployed PFRS retirees with choice concerning PFRS membership.
Permits certain motor vehicle offenders to apply for a restricted use license.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids.
Establishes low interest mortgage program in HMFA for volunteer fire and rescue squad members.
Establishes New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center and authorizes establishment of Foundation for the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center.
Terminates authority of counties to issue identification cards for purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages.*
Amends and supplements the "New Jersey Parentage Act," establishing new procedures concerning blood or genetic testing.
Provides early childhood program aid to certain school districts contiguous to Abbott districts.
Provides increased demonstrably effective program aid to school districts contiguous to Abbott districts.
Authorizes an adjustment to school district budget cap in the amount of any increase in special education expenditures for the budget year.
Requires fee-for-service prescription drug benefits for SSI recipients under Medicaid.
Reconstitutes membership of NJ Racing Commission and requires 4 of 9 commissioners to be owners or trainers of thoroughbred or standardbred horses.
Revises statutes regarding physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
Requires health benefits coverage for certain therapies and applied behavioral analysis for the treatment of certain autism disorders.
Makes various changes to the automobile insurance laws; consolidates administrative functions relative to automobile insurance; provides for insurance fraud reforms. *
Requires Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to use transported remains of victims of September 11, 2001 from World Trade Center in a memorial.
Provides non-forfeitable right to post-retirement medical benefits provided by law to certain public employees with 25 years of service.
Establishes penalty for failing to comply with school crossing guard's signal to stop.
Establishes "Matthew's Law Limiting the Use of Restraints." *
Permits municipalities to enact ordinance to hold DUI arrestees in protective custody. *
Authorizes court to refrain from imposing driver's license suspension on defendant convicted of CDS offense if compelling circumstances exist. *
Requires inventory of brownfields sites in the State.
Requires DHSS to prepare booklet on MMR vaccine and availability of blood test to determine immunity prior to administration of second dose. *
Prohibits placing certain holds on debit cards.
"Pharmacy Quality Assurance and Error Prevention Act."
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to Community Food Pantry Fund.
Prohibits advertisements on county and municipal police, first-aid, and fire vehicles.
Directs Department of Personnel to establish pre-entry physical and psychological fitness standards for applicants for police training academies. **
Prohibits municipal ordinances and homeowners' association rules from limiting the display of American flag. *
Revises "lemon law" refund formula for consumers of certain new motor vehicles.
Requires Office of Business Services in the New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission to issue certain decisions in writing.
Prohibits certain acts involving invasion of privacy.
Repeals law creating State poet laureate.
Provides PFRS members in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.
Requires DEP to implement California Low Emission Vehicle program beginning on January 1, 2009 under certain circumstances; establishes review commission; and establishes incentive for purchase or lease of zero emission vehicles. *
Designates State Highway No. 70 bridge over Manasquan River as the "September 11 Memorial Bridge;" appropriates $2,500.
Requires the placement of defibrillators at public and independent institutions of higher education.
Provides for regulation of certain call center communications by Division of Consumer Affairs.
Enacts the "Uniform Mediation Act."
Authorizes, in cases where decedent died without a will, establishment of trusts for young beneficiaries providing deferred distribution of funds.
Provides immunity to volunteer architects, landscape architects, land surveyors, professional engineers, construction managers and contractors during certain emergencies. *
Establishes Joint Committee on Affordable Housing.
In committee · 61
Requires fee-for-service prescription drug benefits for SSI recipients under Medicaid.
Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $1,000 income tax deduction.
Requires school districts to provide transportation to public school pupils living along hazardous routes.
Authorizes and directs DEP to implement Phase II of the California Low Emission Vehicle program in the State beginning in calendar year 2006.
Waives driver's license and motor vehicle registration fees for volunteer firefighters and volunteer members of first aid and rescue squads.
Allows worker selection of treatment providers under workers' compensation.
Provides credit under gross income tax and corporation business tax for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Provides for establishment of county offices for the disabled; making an appropriation.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Exempts government-owned property from adverse possession and eliminates statute of limitation period for recovery.
Requires that chiropractors and physicians be reimbursed at same rate under various health and accident plans.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Exempts fire department personnel and full-time police officers from jury duty.
Directs DEP to acquire Oak Tree Pond tract in Middlesex County for new State park; and appropriates $6.8 million.
Requires licensure of hospital in Union County to provide adult cardiac surgery services.
Exempts from New Jersey gross income tax the victims who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States.
Raises EMT assessment and expands reimbursement eligibility.
Exempts manufacturers of orthotic appliances from licensing under the "Orthotist and Prosthetist Licensing Act."
Prohibits searches of motor vehicles by police officers without probable cause.
Provides for a mandatory minimum term for assaulting a law enforcement officer.
Requires heir to undergo criminal background check before taking possession of firearm.
Permits police officer to impound uninsured motor vehicle.
"Pharmacy Benefits Management Company Act."
Moves division of Criminal Justice investigators from unclassified to cover service of civil service.
Allows a refundable gross income tax credit for education and training expenses for developmentally disabled children.
Provides that only citizens or legal residents of the United States may be employed in performing of certain State contracts.
Requires DEP to implement Phase II of California Low Emission Vehicle program in calendar year 2006.
Requires certain law enforcement officers to undergo psychological testing.
Increases the maximum amount of bonds issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority for the Public Library Project Fund from $45 million to $95 million to provide library construction and technology grants.
The "School Employees Contract Resolution and Equity Act."
Exempts certain investment clubs from certain partnership fee and payment requirements.
Provides for third party payment of registered nurse first assistant when insurer covers payment for surgical first assistant services.
Establishes obstructing access to fire hydrant as disorrderly persons offense.
Establishes "Matthew's Law Limiting the Use of Restraints."
Requires boards of education to offer elementary school students instruction in gang violence prevention.
Exempts vanpool rentals from domestic security fee imposed under P.L.2002, c.34.
Establishes hiring preference for children of firefighters killed in the line of duty seeking appointmemnt to paid fire departments.
Provides for compensation of teachers on appropriate salary guide and schedule after withholding of an increment.
Provides for the protection of certain publicly-owned archeological sites and findings, and establishes penalties.
Enhances penalties for drag racing.
Requires State purchase only certain certified vehicles for State fleet; creates process for establishing requirement State purchase only zero emissions vehicles and five-year phase-in of the requirement.
Establishes Commission on Juvenile Involvement in Gangs; appropriates $95,000.
Authorizes establishment of trusts providing for deferred distribution of funds for minor beneficiaries of persons who die without a will.
Provides four-year phase-in of boat safety course requirement for operating power vessels and personal watercraft; reinstates age requirements for power vessel operation and exceptions to course requirement; appropriates $2 million for enforcement.
Authorizes municipalities to require conformity with traffic performance objectives as a condition of subdivision or site plan approval.
Requires Medicaid program to increase reimbursement for ambulance services provided to Medicaid recipients who are also Medicare eligible to Medicare rate.
Requires short-term custody, evaluation for student bringing gun to school.
Provides a thermal imaging camera to each fire organization.
Establishes toll-free hotline to report motorists who litter in New Jersey.
Establishes New Jersey Rx Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Provides that area surrounding a child care center and playground be designated as a drug free zone.
"New Jersey Fair Market Drug Pricing Act"; establishes New Jersey Rx Card Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Prohibits siting of correctional facilities and treatment centers for sex offenders and sexually violent predators within one mile of any residential area.
Establishes the crime of assault by animal.
Applies prevailing wage requirement to certain custom fabrication.
Clarifies that law enforcement agencies may access juvenile central registry information.
Provides for issuance of New Jersey Homeland Security Medals; appropriates $5,000.
Establishes New Jersey Rx Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Requires certain Internet operators to remove defamatory materials and to disclose account information to defamed individuals.
Appropriates $25,000,000 to restore funding to statutory level for Homestead Property Tax Reimbursement program.
Removes confidential employee status from investigators in Division of Criminal Justice.