Bills in the 2010–2011 Session, Senate.
Joseph F. Vitale
Sponsored
Became law9
Concerns dispensation by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to a patient of drugs delivered to the eye through a contact lens.
Permits certain patient data to be reported to DHSS under "Health Care Facility-Associated Infection Reporting and Prevention Act".
Concerns eligibility for Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief fund assistance when more than one child in family has catastrophic illness.
Permits limited pharmacy sales of syringes and needles without a prescription.
Requires Division of Taxation to regularly provide certain information to municipalities concerning hotel occupancy taxes.
Eliminates minimum threshold for municipal calculation of reserve for uncollected taxes by alternate method when tax appeal judgments reduce the tax levy.
Restores income eligibility level for AIDS Drug Distribution Program to 500% of the federal poverty level.
Establishes Medicaid Accountable Care Organization Demonstration Project in DHS.
Restores eligibility of New Jersey Health ACCESS recipients for NJ FamilyCare effective August 1, 2011.
Vetoed4
Permits adoptees and certain others access to adoptee's original birth certificate and other related information. *
Supplemental appropriation of $24.6 million in State funds and $45.7 million in federal funds to the DHS.
Allows corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credit for certain wages paid to qualified interns in tax years 2012 and 2013.
Requires surgical practices to be licensed by DHSS as ambulatory care facilities.
Passed the Senate2
Clarifies intent of Legislature to protect certain senior tenants; aligns housing age restrictions with federal law.
Provides for the continuation of health insurance coverage for certain employees and their dependents when an employer ceases to exist. *
Out of committee23
Permits candidate in any election to sign own nominating petition and be circulator therof.
Clarifies that insurance broker transparency requirement only applies to sale of health benefits plans.
Revises requirements for emergency medical services delivery.
Provides for educational stability of children placed in resource family homes and that school district of residence for the child shall be present district of residence of parent or guardian.
Increases specialized care nursing facility beds for persons with Huntington's Disease.
"Sara's Law;" requires Motor Vehicle Commission to establish next-of-kin program.
Authorizes State Treasurer to sell as surplus certain land and improvements thereon now part of East Jersey Prison to Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County.
Requires DHSS to post on website information concerning hospital emergency department staffing and services for pediatric patients. *
Establishes deadlines for filing financial disclosure statements with State Ethics Commission.
Permits DOT to contract with county or municipality for certain work on highways to prevent public hazards.
Authorizes zero-interest loans to local governments for certain brownfield remediations; changes priorities for financial assistance from Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund. *
"Revised State Medical Examiner Act"; establishes Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner in DHSS.
Removes statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse pursuant to "Child Sexual Abuse Act"; expands the categories of persons potentially liable in such actions.*
Requires certain owners of foreclosed property to file contact information with municipality and common interest community.*
Appropriates $1.047 million in 2003 bond act monies for Sayreville flood control project.*
Establishes the Workforce Shortage Loan Redemption Program.
Appropriates $1,000,000 for outreach and enrollment activities in Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs.
Requires NJ FamilyCare to treat earned and unearned income in same manner when calculating gross family income for parents and caretakers.
Supplemental appropriation of $6.4 million in State funds and $11.9 million in federal funds to DHS to restore eligibility to parents in NJ FamilyCare.
Allows all municipalities to sell and lease unneeded public property for "urban" farming and gardening purposes.
Requires certain health care facilities to offer, and health care workers to receive, annual influenza vaccination.*
Prohibits municipal library trustees from transferring donated funds to municipality.
Eliminates permit requirement for home production of wine and beer for personal use.
In committee79
Revises statutory mental health coverage requirements and requires all health insurers and SHBP to cover treatment for alcoholism and other substance-use disorders under same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses.
Increases additional penalty assessment for drunk driving; dedicates revenue to VCCB.
Creates an integrated State medical examiner system by increasing the authority of the State Medical Examiner regarding forensic investigations, establishing regional medical examiner offices, and eliminating the county medical examiner system.
Regulates expiration dates and dormancy fees for certain prepaid bank cards, such as mall gift cards.
Exempts senior homeowners from municipal building permit fees.
Regulates teen nights by requiring security provided by police officers, prohibiting persons under age 15 from attending, and disqualifying registered sex offenders from employment.
Requires newly licensed registered professional nurse to attain baccalaureate degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure.
Establishes procedures for operation of air ambulance services.
Makes it a crime of the third degree to practice psychology without a license and prohibits certain unlicensed employees of certain entities from using title of psychologist.
Allows disabled veteran's surviving spouse to claim property tax exemption when veteran's disability declaration is granted after death.
Requires "just compensation" for condemnation of single-family residence to be based on cost of comparable relocation properties within 20 mile radius.
"Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensing Act."
Permits municipalities to recover certain costs and fees from alcoholic beverage licensees charged with violations.
Provides a plan to rebalance State resources to provide community services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities.
Provides that the school district of residence for a child in a foster home shall be the present district of residence of the parent or guardian.
Requires public utilities to set bill due date to no earlier than 28 days past postmarked date if mailed by regular mail, or 28 days past sent date if sent electronically.
Permits water and sewerage service sub-metering in multi-family dwellings.
Makes various changes to current system for approval, issuance, administration, and discontinuance of various types of special license plates.
Defines "mobile home park" as "multiple dwelling" for inspection purposes.
Requires all State firefighter training to be accredited.
"New Jersey Public Water Supply Fluoridation Act."
Requires health insurers and SHBP to provide certain mental health benefits for eating disorders under same terms and conditions as for other illnesses and diseases.
Extends Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance Premium Assistance Fund and collection of annual surcharges for 5 years.
Requires notification of rape care advocate under certain circumstances by law enforcement, prosecutors and medical providers.
Expands the means to obtain a protective order for a minor.
Designates September 11 each year "September 11 Remembrance Day" in New Jersey.
Makes technical corrections to individual health coverage and small employer health benefits programs and to NJ FamilyCare.
Supplemental appropriation of $2 million for grants to certain nursing schools to address shortage of nursing faculty.
Requires DHSS to make list of drugs with "black box" warnings accessible through its website.
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
Allows gross income tax deduction for 50% of contributions of $100 or more to domestic violence shelters.
"Community Health Service Pilot Initiative Act."
Prohibits substitution of prescribed epilepsy drugs by pharmacists without prior notification to and written consent of physician and patient.
Establishes Medication Management, Outreach and Support Program in DHS; appropriates $8 million.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Permits county, county college, or municipality to offer additional retirement benefits to certain employees; permits issuance of refunding bonds to fund benefits.
Requires party bidding on, or performing, a State contract to provide employee health care benefits.
Eliminates statute of limitations for kidnapping and increases statute of limitations for other serious crimes to 10 years.
Extends exemption from charitable immunity for certain civil actions to persons of any age who are beneficiaries of the nonprofit corporation.
Regulates physician profiling programs used by managed care networks.
Requires policy on use of alternative dispute resolution for State agencies; expands duties of Dispute Settlement Office of Department of Public Advocate.
Increases loss ratio reporting and disclosure requirements for carriers offering individual and group health insurance plans; applies loss ratio requirement to large group health insurance plans.
Provides premium assistance to certain small employers who purchase health benefits plans; appropriates $10 million.
Allows health maintenance organizations to include charity care assessments for purposes of meeting certain loss ratio requirements.
Concerns the delivery and oversight of coverage under certain health benefits plans; establishes Health Care Patient Ombudsperson.
Concerns contributions to special funds made through the gross income tax return.
Clarifies deadline to request mail-in ballot application.
Establishes Center for the Study of Health Care Billing Data.
Revises the statutes concerning oaths and affidavits.
Requires physicians to complete survey as condition for biennial registration with Board of Medical Examiners and requires board to maintain and disseminate survey data as appropriate.
Requires State Board of Education to promulgate policy regarding outside employment of superintendents of schools.
Revises "Local Bond Law" provisions to exempt certain energy projects from appropriation requirement for five percent down payment.
Revises standard of value for the purposes of real property assessment where property owner is responsible for environmental damage to real property.
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 audits of managed care plan provider networks.
Prohibits retail motor fuel dealer from charging a credit card customer in excess of four percent of purchase price for same fuel to customer paying by cash.
Clarifies out-of-network payment responsibilities under health benefits plans; requires certain coverage and procedure disclosures to consumers; revises procedures for changes to managed care plan contracts.
Authorizes creation of economic recovery districts; authorizes certain economic recovery district management corporations to issue bonds secured by incentive grants.
Clarifies that criminal impersonation committed by any means including electronic communications or Internet website shall be subject to criminal penalties.
Concerns eligible municipalities under the urban transit hub credit.
"New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act"
"Healthcare Transparency and Disclosure Act." *
Provides for transfer and sale of inactive liquor licenses for use in qualifying smart growth municipalities.
Authorizes immediate euthanasia of impounded stray animals that are injured or ill beyond hope of recovery.
Requires all personal audio players distributed in New Jersey to contain warning about volume and hearing loss.
Clarifies the effective date of the "New Jersey False Claims Act."
Establishes Sex Offender Management Commission; amends Megan's Law in response to federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
Directs NJTA to study and report on potential revenue generating services of NJTA rest areas and service plazas.
Clarifies that conversions of housing cooperatives into condominiums are subject to notice provisions of "The Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act."
Regulates certain service contracts to perform maintenance, repair, replacement, or service of property used for personal, family, or household purposes.
Conforms Megan's law to requirements of federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Creates new taxable category of alcoholic beverages called flavored malt beverages, imposes separate rate of taxation on new category pursuant to alcoholic beverages tax and allocates associated revenue.
Requires health benefits coverage for mammograms for women under 40 who lack access to family medical history due to their or their parent's adoption.
Prohibits the restraint of prisoners during and immediately after childbirth.
Extends limited protection from certain penalties if medical assistance is sought for drug overdose victim in certain cases.
Provides immunity from civil liability to certain individuals who acquire or use an automated external defibrillator.
Allows any licensed healthcare provider trained in evaluation and management of concussions to provide written return to play clearance for student-athlete who has sustained a head injury.
Prohibits municipal library trustees from transferring donated funds to municipality.
Establishes moratorium on licensing of certain emergency medical service helicopter response units pending evaluation and report.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 6
Makes various pension system changes concerning eligibility, retirement allowance formula, compensation definition, position eligible for service credit, non-forfeitable rights, prosecutors part, PFRS special retirement, employer contributions. *
Makes various changes to SHBP and SEHBP concerning eligibility, cost sharing, plan choice, benefit change application, coverage waiver, multiple coverage; requires contributions toward health care benefits by public employees and certain retirees. *
Makes various changes concerning payments to public employees for unused sick leave, sick leave injury in State service, and PERS and TPAF disability retirement.
Changes references of "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability" or "developmental disability" and uses person-first language for persons with disabilities.
"Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act"; provides for use of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment forms and requires physicians and advanced practice nurses to pursue continuing education in end-of life care. *
Establishes NJ Advisory Council on End-of-Life Care in DHSS.
Vetoed · 2
Makes FY 2011 supplemental appropriation of $7,453,000 for Women's Health and Family Planning Services, reduces FY 2011 appropriation for State Employees' Prescription Drug Program by $7,453,000, and requires filing of application for expansion of Medica
Permits attending advanced practice nurse to determine cause of death and execute death certification when physician is not available.
Passed the Senate · 7
Requires managed care plans, SHBP, and SEHBP to provide for reasonable accommodation in accessing providers for persons with physical disabilities. **
Revises statutes concerning permissible length of time between certain public questions in certain municipalities.
Permits a student to participate in a voluntary survey if the district sends prior written notification to the student's parents.
Revises membership of Public Health Council and fully restores functions, powers, and duties of council.
Permits municipality to pay commercial and industrial property tax refunds for tax years 2010 through 2011 over subsequent three local budget years. *
Concerns workers' compensation insurance requirements for certain corporations.
Supplemental appropriation to DHSS for $7,453,000 for family planning services, and requires filing of State Plan Amendment to extend Medicaid coverage for family planning services to persons with incomes up to 200% of federal poverty level.
Out of committee · 21
Provides for county welfare agency monitoring of welfare emergency assistance motel placements, annual inspection of hotels used for emergency assistance recipients and notice of mobile health van services.
Requires State Treasurer to disseminate information about organ and tissue donation; designates April each year as "Donate Life Month." *
Provides bill of rights for persons receiving services under Congregate Housing Services Program.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Directs Medicaid to establish medical home demonstration project.
Revises Newborn Screening program in DHSS.
Provides one-third of motor vehicle fine moneys generated through State Police issued tickets go to municipality where violation occurred.
Provides loan redemption for certain physicians who work in State 10 years.*
Allows gross income tax deduction for first $200,000 earned by certain new physicians and dentists in first seven taxable years of practice in NJ. *
Jaden's Law; requires DHSS to prepare online brochure about the option to donate bone marrow.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to the "American Red Cross-NJ Fund".
Requires development of interscholastic athletic head injury safety training program; requires certain measures to protect student athletes with concussions; and requires continuing education for athletic trainers.*
Permits advertising on exterior of school buses.
Creates State contract set-aside program for businesses owned and operated by veterans.
Amends Fiscal Year 2011 annual appropriations act to require filing of application for expansion of Medicaid coverage for family planning services.
Clarifies statutory exemptions from mandatory immunizations for students.
Revises provisions of "Franchise Practices Act" relating to motor vehicle franchises. *
Requires birthing facilities to screen newborns for congenital heart defects prior to discharge.
Restores benefit under State earned income credit program to 25 percent of federal credit beginning in Tax Year 2011.
Provides State school aid to districts in amount consistent with provisions of "School Funding Reform Act of 2008."
"Caylee's Law;" upgrades penalties for failing to report a death; criminalizes failure to report disappearance of child within 24 hours.
In committee · 45
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability.
Prohibits use of education and occupation as rating factors in automobile insurance underwriting.
Establishes advocacy pilot program for mentally ill offenders.
"Ricci's Law;" revises ignition interlock device requirements for certain drunk driving offenses.
Authorizes special Gold Star Family license plates.
Requires insurers, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare to reimburse for childhood immunizations at levels specified by regulation.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as State song.
"Janet's Law"; requires public and nonpublic schools, recreational fields and youth camps to have defibrillators for youth athletic events, and public schools to train pupils in use thereof and in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities.
Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.
Permits payments in subsidized adoption until child becomes 21 years of age under certain circumstances.
Establishes crimes of dog fighting and leader of a dog fighting network; amends RICO to add leader of a dog fighting network.
Provides "Patriots Corner" tribute in State House to New Jersey residents serving in US Armed Forces, reserve components and New Jersey National Guard.
"Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act."
Repeals cosmetic medical procedure gross receipts tax.
Requires health insurance coverage for hair headpieces for patients receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Prohibits motor fuel wholesaler from increasing price more than once in 24-hour period.
Increases funding of Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program.
Requires DMVA to send Servicemembers' Advisory Notice to members of National Guard called to active duty.
Establishes New Jersey Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Task Force.
Prohibits telecommunications, utility or cable television companies from charging certain customers prior to actual billing due date.
Allows application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.
Requires health care provider participating in carrier network to give notice to covered person of provider's referral to out-of-network provider.
Establishes waiver, rebate or payment of insured's deductible, copayment, or coinsurance by health care practitioner as a form of insurance fraud subject to criminal and civil penalties.
Requires health insurers to disclose broker commissions to purchasers.
Requires development of interscholastic athletic head injury safety training program; requires certain measures to protect student athletes with concussions; and limits liability of districts and nonpublic schools for certain actions by youth sports team
Requires voter approval at the annual school election or by the board of school estimate prior to the establishment of a charter school.
Establishes the number of students to be supported under the veterinary medicine education program and a service requirement for students who participate in the program.
Establishes and enhances certain insurance fraud prevention measures.
Exempts stored value cards usable solely for telephone services from State's escheatment processes.
Establishes the "Study Commission on the Cost-Effectiveness of Contracting with Nonprofit Organizations."
"New Jersey Healthcare Exchange Act."
Amends law concerning conversion of age-restricted communities to define substantial detriment and makes other clarifications.
Requires wireless cell phone company to inform subscribers that cell phone GPS capability may be deactivated.
Creates special license plates supporting Autism Awareness.
Establishes "Emergency Department Triage Referral Pilot Program" in DHSS.
Provides for competitive contracting for health benefits plans by certain local units of government and boards of education.
Supplements FY2012 annual appropriations act to require filing of application for expansion of Medicaid coverage for family planning services and appropriates $1 million.
Requires hospitals implement Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection prevention programs in all units except inpatient psychiatric units.
Establishes New Jersey Task Force to Address the Nurse Faculty Shortage.
Expands jurisdiction of Division of Rate Counsel.
Requires hearing and approval of premium changes for individual and small employer health benefits plans; expands jurisdiction of Division of Rate Counsel.
Requires schools that participate in Statewide interscholastic sports programs to annually inform student-athletes about National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility standards for participation in collegiate athletics.
Establishes standards of practice for clinical nursing services providers for medically fragile students.