Bills in the 2000–2001 Session, Senate.
Joseph F. Vitale
Sponsored
Became law6
Establishes the State Commission of Investigation as a permanent agency.
Creates the offense of endangering an injured victim.
Makes clauses waiving right to sue in nursing home admission agreements void and unenforceable.
Requires BPU to enforce new FCC rules on slamming and to institute actions against telecommunications service providers pursuant to agreement with FCC.
Establishes the crime of Bias Intimidation.*
Prohibits health care facilities from requiring certain hourly wage employees to perform overtime work.
Passed the Senate9
Prohibits person convicted of child abuse, domestic violence or stalking from purchasing or owning a firearm.
Prohibits smoking on school buses, even if students are not present.
Establishes special license plates for World War II veterans.
Clarifies that the term "deadly weapon" includes an animal. *
Designates prison telephone revenues for VCCB claims.
Requires certain contracts and warranties to be printed in at least 10-point type. *
Permits emergency management volunteers to display blue emergency warning lights on vehicles; permits certain emergency management duty officers to display red emergency lights and sirens on vehicles.
Eliminates statute of limitations for kidnapping and increases statute of limitations for other serious crimes to 10 years.
Authorizes counties, with voter approval, to impose special levy to fund water resources preservation and restoration projects.
Out of committee12
Prohibits health care facilities from requiring certain hourly wage employees to perform overtime work.*
Allows gross income tax deduction for 50% of contributions of $100 or more to domestic violence shelters.
Transfers certain DYFS property in Middlesex county to NJ Natural Lands Trust.
Establishes programs through NJ KidCare for State financial assistance and subsidies to purchase employer-sponsored health benefits plans for certain dependent children.
Permits billing of tenants' organizations to maintain certain utilities to rental premises.
Provides enhanced benefits to survivors of certain PFRS members.
Provides pension benefit to certain survivors of certain PFRS members.
Exempts from the sales and use tax sales made at concession stands located in State-owned veterans' homes.
Provides Medicaid coverage for certain breast and cervical cancer-related treatment services for presumptively eligible persons under federal law.
Establishes New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing; appropriates $1,200,000.
"Nursing Student Incentive Loan and Loan Redemption Program Act"; appropriates $5 million.
Concerns certain ticket broker practices.
In committee41
Requires carriers which offer managed care plans to permit covered person to continue treatment for limited time with a physician no longer employed by or under contract with the carrier for certain health conditions.
Provides that ordinary death benefits to survivors of active PFRS members with at least 25 years' service shall be same as benefits to survivors of PFRS retirants.
Establishes 55 mph speed limit for certain commercial vehicles for portions of State highway system with 65 mph speed limits.
Requires hospitals and nursing homes to compile and provide certain staffing and patient care information to the public.
Directs DHSS to adopt regulations establishing certain minimum nursing staff ratios for general hospitals and nursing facilities and sets limits on medical residents' hours.
Provides for the inclusion of certain district factor group A or B districts based on 1990 census data within the Abbott district definition.
Requires criminal history record background checks of currently certified nurse aides, personal care assistants and homemaker-home health aides not already checked.
Requires depository institutions to cash certain checks.
Prohibits lobbyists and legislative agents from providing benefits to certain public officers and employees and prohibits those officers and employees from receiving these benefits.
Permits Legislature to void closing of State psychiatric hospital or developmental center.
Appropriates $36,000 to the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School for C.H.A.N.G.E.S. Program.
Directs DEP to conduct feasibility study of assessing air pollution sources in and around certain airports and military bases.
Modifies the Charitable Immunity Act.
Prohibits railroad storage of hazardous substances and nighttime idling of train engines near residences.
Changes date of primary elections in year 2004 to first Tuesday in March.
Prohibits energy suppliers and private aggregators from soliciting potential residential customers by telephone upon request by such customers.
Prohibits possession and sale of non-traceable firearms.
Concerns use of child passenger restraint systems, booster seats and seat belts.
Directs BPU to request FCC to adopt a national policy of permanent telephone number rationing in assigning telephone numbers to local carriers.
Establishes limits on medical resident's hours.
Prohibits member of BPU from acting as legislative agent for one year after leaving office.
Supplemental appropriation of $2,400,000 to Division of Local Government Services in DCA to fund Carteret Borough Municipal Center building repair costs.
Requires municipal clerk to provide election results to municipal and county committees' chairpersons.
Establishes vicarious liability of certain motor vehicle rental firms for their rentals and requires offer of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage.
Permits sale of motor fuels on the Internet.
Establishes the "New Jersey Household Energy Assistance Fund," appropriates $5 million.
Proposes series of amendments to statutes governing SCI.
Supplemental appropriation of $200,000 to Jewish Renaissance Foundation for Perth Amboy Medical Health Care Center.
Reduces blood alcohol level at which a person is considered to be guilty of drunk driving from 0.10% to 0.08%.
"Cigarette Fire Safety Act."
Subjects all Class II railroad property held in an inactive status for two consecutive tax years to local property taxation.
Waives driver's license and motor vehicle registration fees for volunteer firefighters and volunteer members of first aid and rescue squads.
Provides credit under gross income tax and corporation business tax for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Improves the formula for computing retirement allowances for certain PERS and TPAF members retiring on deferred, early, service or ordinary disability retirement allowances.
Requires health insurers to cover Hepatitis B vaccination costs.
Requires that home care services providers give advance information to patients about their employees' training.
Prohibits refusal by certain medical professionals to draw blood from drivers suspected of DWI.
Requires surcharge for passenger restraint violation; establishes Child Safety Seat Distribution Program Fund.
Amends and supplements fiscal year 2002 State appropriations act to eliminate certain restrictions on the New Jersey FamilyCare Health Coverage Program and makes additional appropriations available for the program.
Incorporates regional water resource management considerations within county master planning, site plan and subdivision approval.
Supplemental appropriations of $22.9 million in General and federal Funds to DHSS for supplemental charity care.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 34
"Senior Gold Prescription Discount Act."
Requires managed care plans and SHBP to pay in-network health care facilities full contractual rate regardless of whether treating practitioner is in-network or out-of-network provider. *
Assures certain benefits to certain police, fire and emergency personnel under certain circumstances in regard to the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001 or pursuant to an Executive Order by the Governor.
Prohibits sale of certain merchandise at excessive prices during certain emergencies.
Requires criminal history record checks for all certified nurse aides, personal care assistants and homemaker-home health aides; requires plan for similar checks to be conducted on other providers of home care services.*
Establishes a DYFS Review Panel; provides for additional positions; makes an appropriation. *
Provides tuition assistance for children and spouses of the victims of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. *
Directs UEZA to establish extended enterprise zones.*
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for AIDS services activities.
Broadens group of defendants from which blood samples for DNA testing must be drawn.
Raises maximum age for appointment for exempt firemen to 45.
The "New Jersey Women's Micro-Business Credit Act"; appropriates $750,000.
Provides for standardized protocol for autopsies performed in cases where suspected cause of death is SIDS.
Requires DHSS to establish public awareness campaign about meningitis and higher education institutions to notify prospective students about meningitis vaccination; appropriates $50,000.**
Prohibits certain practices by homeowners' insurers and insurance producers.
Increases penalty for causing death or injury of another while driving with suspended license.
Requires DHSS to establish public awareness campaign and develop policies and procedures for health care professionals and facilities concerning postpartum depression; appropriates $50,000.
Delays implementation of cap on grants from Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade and Closure Fund; authorizes reimbursement grants for remediation costs.*
"Health Care Carrier Accountability Act."*
Regulates employee leasing companies and employee leasing agreements.
Removes time limitation on prosecuting offenses in certain cases when DNA evidence is available. *
Requires law enforcement agencies to impound vehicles of persons arrested for DWI and to issue responsibility warnings to persons assuming custody of persons arrested for DWI.*
Establishes New Jersey Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Fund.
Establishes court awarded kinship legal guardianship status and creates three additional judgeships.
Provides full PFRS credit for transferred PERS service of certain PFRS members. *
Increases age for permit to purchase a handgun from 18 to 21 years; changes related laws on temporary transfer and exemptions.*
Establishes the casino reinvestment development authority urban revitalization incentive program.
Appropriates $2.3 million to Rutgers College of Nursing to expand facilities in New Brunswick.
Approves State funding for certain "planning incentive" local government open space acquisition projects in nothern NJ.
Approves State funding for certain "urban aid" local government open space acquisition projects.
Increases TPAF and PERS retirement benefits for active members and retirees; revises calculation of assets and establishes benefit enhancement fund.
Increases TPAF and PERS retirement benefits for certain active and retired employees. *
The "New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Act;" appropriates $8.95 million.
Requires four year digitized picture driver's license; tightens requirements for issuance of driver's license to legal aliens; appropriates $1.5 million.*
Vetoed · 1
Requires State to fund at least 80% of cost of Statewide poison control and drug information program.
Passed the Senate · 20
Requires insurance carriers to use "prudent layperson" definition for coverage of emergency health care.
Establishes Hospital Emergency Services Development Fund in DHSS to assist hospitals in creating emergency services clinics for patients who do not require acute care or trauma care; appropriates $9 million.
Authorizes municipalities to provide free day care services to children of volunteer firefighters and first aid squad members.
Supplemental appropriation of $1,500,000 to Division of Local Government Services in DCA to fund Newark City's plane crash costs.
Directs Medicaid to establish community spouse resource allowance and income limits at highest levels permitted by federal law.
"Health Care Claims Payment Responsibility Act." *
Clarifies that child support judgments shall not be docketed until arrearage equals or exceeds amount payable for one month.
Strengthens screening procedures for school bus drivers.
Provides for instruction for middle school and high school students in the dynamics of domestic violence and child abuse.
Authorizes special license plates for Offices of Emergency Management volunteers.
Prohibits black bear hunting for five years; requires development of plan for bear population control; and appropriates $95,000.**
Imposes mandatory minimum 3-year prison term for theft of a firearm.
Allows court to grant adoption of children born in foreign country recognition and judicial comity in New Jersey.
Requires removal of site from contaminated site list within 60 days after completion of cleanup. *
Establishes criminal penalty for Megan's Law registrant who gives false address; requires verification of address before registrant is released.
Makes a supplemental appropriation of $50,000 for an endowment to the Wynona Moore Lipman Ethnic Studies Center to be established at Kean University.
Imposes restrictions on future retail sales of handguns; mandates sales of personalized handguns when found available for retail sales purposes.
Establishes "The Project Exile and Operation Ceasefire Enforcement Act of 2000" to strengthen prosecution of firearms crimes; appropriates $5 million.
Revises requirements for certain handgun sales; requires ballistics identifiers be submitted to qualified databases.
Increases membership of Drug Utilization Review Board to include two advanced practice nurses.
Out of committee · 49
"New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act"; appropriates $500,000.*
Supplemental appropriation of $8,050,000 in State and federal funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement for home health services.
Expands the Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduates. *
Designated the "Community Health Care Assets Protection Act."
Subjects HMOs to law regulating insurance holding company systems and revises calculation of health insurance policy reserves.
Increases personal needs allowance to $55 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities; appropriates $4.6 million in State and $3.6 million in federal funds. *
Establishes "New Jersey Anti-Hunger Initiative"; appropriates $500,000.
Increases additional penalty assessment for drunk driving; dedicates revenue to VCCB.
Establishes new procedures for the application for services provided to the developmentally disabled.
Requires partial payment by the State of program budget per pupil amount for charter school students and revises procedure for evaluation of the charter school program.
"New Jersey Health Care Consumer Information Act;" appropriates $300,000.
Waives driver's license and motor vehicle registration fees for volunteer firefighters and volunteer members of first aid and rescue squads.
The "Private Well Testing Act"; appropriates $1 million from Safe Drinking Water Fund. *
Appropriates $30 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Supplemental appropriation of $99,000 to DHSS for grant to HealthDecisions New Jersey to support New Jersey Comfort Care Coalition.
Supplemental appropriation of $650,000 from the General Fund to DOL for transportation services for sheltered workshop clients.
Provides funding for non-profit energy assistance organization.
Establishes New Jersey Pain Management Policy Advisory Council.
Provides hospital patients and nursing home residents with right to expect and receive appropriate pain assessment, management and treatment as integral component of their care.
Requires health care facilities to monitor pain as fifth vital sign in patients.
Requires Commission on Cancer Research to encourage research on cancer pain management and palliative care.
Requires period for which eligibility for Medicaid and NJ KidCare are determined be maximum permitted under federal law.
Extends tax on litter-generating products; makes available recycling grants to counties and municipalities. *
Allows covered persons with out-of-network benefits in dental and health service corporations and dental plan organization plans to assign dental benefits to dentists of choice. *
Supplemental appropriation of $690,000 to Division on Women in DCA to fund Grants to Displaced Homemaker Centers program.
Establishes a New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit.
Requires certain interruptible gas service customers to have a seven-day supply of fuel other than gas available to them.*
Amends law governing criminal history record background checks for individuals working with developmentally disabled in community agencies.
Requires the Administrative Director of the Courts to annually report on the school-based probation program.
"FamilyCare Health Coverage Act."
Establishes the "New Jersey Individual Development Account Program," appropriates $2 million from federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds.*
Permits sale of motor fuels at other than posted price on the Internet or through similar modalities.*
Expands law enforcement powers of certain DEP personnel.
Changes certain organizational dates for 2001 for State, county and municipal political party committees.
Establishes Commission on Italian and Americans of Italian Heritage Cultural and Educational Programs; appropriates $350,000.*
Establishes sex offender Internet registry; appropriates $500,000. *
Appropriates $200,000 to the New Jersey Commission on Environmental Education for programs to promote an environmentally responsible citizenry.
Expands FamilyCare Health Coverage Program to cover single adults and couples without dependent children with incomes up to 133% of proverty level.
Appropriates $7,000,000 for New Jersey Fire Engine and Equipment Museum.
Establishes matching grant program to assist counties in upgrading election equipment; appropriates $5 million.
Establishes hepatitis C education, prevention and screening program and requires reporting of hepatitis C directly to DHSS. **
Allows adopted person access to his original birth certificate and other related information; appropriates $90,000. *
Requires testing of newborn infants for maple syrup urine disease.
Exempts health care supplies and equipment, purchased for use in providing health care services, from sales tax.
Concerns use of child passenger restraint systems, booster seats and seat belts.
Prohibits the taking of menhaden for fish meal reduction in State coastal waters.
"Nurse Retention Stipend Program Act"; appropriates $1 million.
Alters cap on tax due pursuant to Spill Compensation and Control Act.
Regulates operation of electric personal assistance mobility devices.
In committee · 60
Prohibits political contributions by certain individuals and electric power and gas entities.
Makes various changes in civil service system concerning titles and compensation.
Establishes PAAD Expansion Program.
Provides individual cause of action for unfair practices in the settlement of insurance claims and makes unfair practices subject to consumer fraud law.
Provides for annual appropriation of certain State realty transfer fee revenues and General Fund monies for improvements to, and maintenance of, parks.
Permits local construction code official to inspect traveling carnival-amusement rides.
Removes prosecution of domestic violence-related criminal cases from jurisdiction of the municipal court; places these cases with the Superior Court.
Requires the Governor's annual budget recommendations to establish the State share of public school costs at 50 percent by dedicating growth in certain State revenues.
Concerns the purchase of apparel by public bodies.
Supplemental appropriation of $150 million to DHSS for reimbursement to participating health care providers of HIP Health Plan of New Jersey.
Dedicates use of tobacco settlement monies for certain health-related purposes and appropriates $40 million in State funds and $40 million in federal funds to increase Medicaid inpatient reimbursement rates.
Regulates organized delivery systems for health care services and benefits.
Regulates limited health service organizations.
Establishes fourth degree crime for parent who permits a minor to gain access to a firearm which is later used in a crime.
Requires that Abbott v. Burke parity remedy aid be allocated to county vocational school districts for students enrolled in those districts who reside in an Abbott district.
Provides additional safety measures for users of ATMs.
Modifies definition of Abbott districts to include urban districts within DOE's district factor groupings A or B.
Requires electric utility rate reductions to be passed through by landlord to residential tenants.
Provides regionalization incentive aid for certain school districts.
Requires training for school bus drivers.
Establishes Kinship Foster Care Program in DYFS.
Establishes the Amistad Commission to coordinate educational and other programs on slavery and African-American history.
Permits enforcement of seat belt law as primary action.
Provides annual appropriations for hospital and physicians that provide charity care, long- term care initiatives and graduate medical education and research from "New Jersey Health Care Improvement Trust Fund."
Revises operations of Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits programs.
Establishes penalty for using cell phone while driving.
Concerns the location of hazardous substances in flood plains.
Authorizes use of Workforce Development Partnership Fund moneys as needed for a certain construction project.
Establishes special license plates for veterans of the Korean conflict.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Gives contractual preferences to gun manufacturers which have pledged to adopt and implement certain manufacturing, firearms design and market practices that will foster firearms safety.
Requires county board of elections, instead of Commissioner of Registration, to designate location for provisional ballots and other election materials after an election.
Provides affirmative defense against prosecution for child abandonment for parent who voluntarily delivers newborn child to emergency department of licensed general hospital.
Makes certain changes with respect to employment discrimination.
Expands the Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduates.
Establishes Brownfields Redevelopment Grants Program; appropriates $150 million.
Requires greater disclosure by lobbyists engaged in certain types of lobbying; appropriates $150,000.
Establishes additional criterion for BPU approval of certain regulatory petitions by local exchange telecommunication companies.
Appropriates $2.5 million to DEP for Proprietary House restoration.
Amends definition of veteran for certain military engagements.
Modifies the employee leasing company law.
Provides for convening of State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation.
Authorizes payment of unemployment benefits during leave related to birth and adoption.
Directs DEP to acquire Oak Tree Pond tract in Middlesex County for new State park; and appropriates $6.8 million.
Establishes lead-safe housing grant and loan program and registry plan; appropriates $2 million.
"Medicaid Prescription Drug Benefit Act."
Authorizes legal fees and costs against public entity filing legally groundless suits against citizens who are critical of the public entity.
Authorizes and directs DEP to implement Phase II of the California Low Emission Vehicle program in the State beginning in calendar year 2006.
Excludes victims of sexual or child abuse from liability for payments for psychiatric care of abusive parents.
Includes emergency contraceptives in protocols for sexual assault victims.
Establishes an annual State aid program to replace the local tax loss occasioned by certain changes in the valuation of depreciable business personal property of certain telecommunications companies.
Appropriates $25,000 to DMAVA for women veterans' memorial at the NJ veterans' cemetery at Arneytown.
Establishes the Excellence in Nursing Scholarship Program; appropriates $5,000,000.
Requires DOT to identify unsafe crossings, between railroads and public highways, and to request money from Transportation Trust Fund to make the safety improvements.
Supplemental appropriation of $20,000 to DMAVA for grant to Italian American War Veterans of U.S. 66th annual national convention in Atlantic City.
"Dignity in Home Care Act"; provides for increases in Medicaid reimbursements to home health agencies for direct care worker salaries; appropriates $10 million in State and $10 million in federal funds.
Requires DEP to classify certain surface waters of the State as category one waters.
Increases TPAF and PERS veterans retirement benefits for active members and retirees.
Tightens requirements for issuance of driver's license to legal alien; upgrades penalties for sale and possession of fake driver's license.
Prohibits imposition of death penalty on mentally retarded defendants.
Filed · 3
Provides for presumption of death for persons exposed to catastrophic events.
Concerns certain public benefits available to persons affected by September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on US.
Provides for public access to government records; protects certain government records from public disclosure; establishes Privacy Study Commission and appropriates $95,000 to commission. *