Bills in the 2012–2013 Session, Senate.
Joseph F. Vitale
Sponsored
Became law9
Provides immunity from civil liability to certain individuals who acquire or use an automated external defibrillator.
Regulates certain service contracts to perform maintenance, repair, replacement, or service of property used for personal, family, or household purposes.
Authorizes State Treasurer to sell as surplus certain land and improvements now part of East Jersey Prison to Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County for a restricted use.
Requires all State firefighter training to be accredited.
Authorizes State Treasurer to sell certain surplus real properties located in Township of Woodbridge, Middlesex County.
The "Opioid Antidote and Overdose Prevention Act."
Allows practitioner with financial interest in health care service providing lithotripsy to refer patients to that health care service if certain conditions are met.
Increases from six to eight the number of governors of the Board of Governors of Rutgers, The State University needed to constitute a quorum.
Provides for development and implementation of State trauma system.
Vetoed7
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 SHBP and SHEBP to cover treatment for alcoholism, other substance-use disorders, and non biologically-based mental illnesses under same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses.*
Clarifies deadline to request mail-in ballot application.
Authorizes certain gestational carrier agreements.
Revises requirements for emergency medical services delivery.
Requires newborn infant screening for tongue tie.
Expands Medicaid eligibility pursuant to federal "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."
Passed the Senate5
Permits health care providers to report certain patient health problems to MVC.
Concerns grant funding for Community Health Law Project; appropriates $100,000.
Establishes permanent sterile syringe access program; appropriates $95,000.
Provides that possession of air or spring gun for an unlawful purpose is a crime of the third degree.
Permits adoptees and certain others to obtain adoptee's original birth certificate and other related information.
Out of committee30
Permits municipalities to recover certain costs and fees from alcoholic beverage licensees charged with violations.
"Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act"; eliminates criminal liability for persons who seek medical assistance in response to drug overdose.*
Clarifies that impersonation committed by any means, including electronic communications or Internet website, shall be subject to criminal penalties.**
Directs NJTA to study and report on potential revenue generating services of NJTA rest areas and service plazas.
Clarifies intent of Legislature to protect certain senior tenants; aligns housing age restrictions with federal law.
"New Jersey Public Water Supply Fluoridation Act."
Requires surgical practices to be licensed by DHSS as ambulatory care facilities.
Requires registered qualifying patient's authorized use of medical marijuana to be considered equivalent to use of any other prescribed medication.
Establishes the Workforce Shortage Loan Redemption Program.
Clarifies that insurance broker transparency requirement only applies to sale of health benefits plans.
Changes priorities for financial assistance from Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund. *
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
Establishes moratorium on licensing of certain emergency medical service helicopter response units pending evaluation and report.
Allows corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credit for certain wages paid to qualified interns in tax years 2013 and 2014. *
Requires certain health care facilities to offer, and health care workers to receive, annual influenza vaccination.
Removes statute of limitations in certain civil actions for sexual abuse; expands categories of defendants liable in such actions.
Requires certain parents and caretakers to be enrolled in NJ Family Care if they meet income eligibility criteria.*
Concerns cigarette manufacturers and production of certain tobacco products using roll-your-own tobacco machines at retail establishments within this State.
Permits municipal court to order certain offenders to perform community service in lieu of payment of penalty.
Provides emergency vehicle exemption for vehicle spot lamps. *
Provides that President of Municipal Clerks' Association of New Jersey shall serve as member of Government Records Council.
Permits pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines to children seven years of age or older.*
Requires coverage of medication therapy management in Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare.
Supplemental appropriation of $50 million from General Fund to DHS for substance abuse treatment and prevention.
Rescinds recommendation of the Task Force on the Closure of State Developmental Centers and creates new task force.*
Exempts veterans' organizations from nonprofit corporation annual report filing fee.
Removes statutory authority of DOH and Board of Medical Examiners over medical standards governing declarations of death upon the basis of neurological criteria.
Revises procedure for issuance of amended birth certificate for person who has undergone change in sex.
Establishes certain requirements, including allowable fees, for provision of medical records to patients, legally authorized representatives, and authorized third parties.*
Provides that President of Municipal Clerks' Association of New Jersey and one additional public member serve as members of Government Records Council.
In committee98
Permits adoptees and certain others access to adoptee's original birth certificate and other related information.
"Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensing Act."
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 policy on use of alternative dispute resolution for State agencies; expands duties of Dispute Settlement Office of Department of Public Advocate.
Concerns contributions to special funds made through the gross income tax return.
Revises the statutes concerning oaths and affidavits.
Establishes deadlines for filing financial disclosure statements with State Ethics Commission.
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.
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.
"Revised State Medical Examiner Act"; establishes Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner in DHSS.
"New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act"
"Healthcare Transparency and Disclosure Act."
Establishes Sex Offender Management Commission; amends Megan's Law in response to federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
Conforms Megan's law to requirements of federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Increases minimum wage to $8.75, then makes annual adjustments based on CPI increases.
Increases additional penalty assessment for drunk driving; dedicates revenue to VCCB.
Authorizes creation of economic recovery districts; authorizes certain economic recovery district management corporations to issue bonds secured by incentive grants.
Revises standard of value for the purposes of real property assessment where property owner is responsible for environmental damage to real property.
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.
Exempts senior homeowners from municipal building permit fees.
Clarifies that conversions of housing cooperatives into condominiums are subject to notice provisions of "The Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act."
Extends Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance Premium Assistance Fund and collection of annual surcharges for 5 years.
Regulates physician profiling programs used by managed care networks.
Clarifies the effective date of the "New Jersey False Claims Act."
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.
Provides for transfer and sale of inactive liquor licenses for use in qualifying smart growth municipalities.
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.
Allows health maintenance organizations to include charity care assessments for purposes of meeting certain loss ratio requirements.
Requires party bidding on, or performing, a State contract to provide employee health care benefits.
Prohibits municipal library trustees from transferring donated funds to municipality.
Requires certain owners of foreclosed property to file contact information with municipality and common interest community.
Requires audits of managed care plan provider networks.
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.
Prohibits substitution of prescribed epilepsy drugs by pharmacists without prior notification to and written consent of physician and patient.
Appropriates $1,000,000 for outreach and enrollment activities in Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs.
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.
Provides premium assistance to certain small employers who purchase health benefits plans; appropriates $10 million.
Requires all personal audio players distributed in New Jersey to contain warning about volume and hearing loss.
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.
Establishes Center for the Study of Health Care Billing Data.
Designates September 11 each year "September 11 Remembrance Day" in New Jersey.
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.
Provides a plan to rebalance State resources to provide community services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities.
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.
Allows gross income tax deduction for 50% of contributions of $100 or more to domestic violence shelters.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Requires newly licensed registered professional nurse to attain baccalaureate degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure.
"Community Health Service Pilot Initiative Act."
Eliminates statute of limitations for kidnapping and increases statute of limitations for other serious crimes to 10 years.
Establishes Medication Management, Outreach and Support Program in DHS; appropriates $8 million.
Makes technical corrections to individual health coverage and small employer health benefits programs and to NJ FamilyCare.
Concerns eligible municipalities under the urban transit hub credit.
Establishes and enhances certain insurance fraud prevention measures.
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.
Increases personal needs allowance to $55 for low income persons residing in certain facilities.
Extends exemption from charitable immunity for certain civil actions to persons of any age who are beneficiaries of the nonprofit corporation.
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.
Concerns the delivery and oversight of coverage under certain health benefits plans; establishes Health Care Patient Ombudsperson in the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Allows certain State agencies to sell Internet advertisements on agencies' websites.
Supplemental appropriation of $11.7 million in State funds and $21.7 million in federal funds to DHS to restore eligibility to parents in NJ FamilyCare.
Appropriates $3,279,459 from 2009 Historic Preservation Fund to NJ Historic Trust for grant to Proprietary House Association for historic preservation purposes.
Increases tobacco products wholesale sales and use tax rates to be on par with tax rate imposed on cigarettes under cigarette tax; dedicates revenue for smoking and tobacco use cessation programs.
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.
Concerns hospital asset transformation program.
Requires insurers to provide information about organ donation and allows insurers to limit reimbursement for organ transplant if recipient has not made gift pursuant to Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.
"Healthcare Disclosure and Transparency Act."
Establishes process for county colleges to offer baccalaureate degree nursing programs.
Establishes civil action for the crime of human trafficking.
Provides for automatic expungement for persons convicted of certain offenses who are also victims of human trafficking.
Concerns criminal sentencing for victims of human trafficking.
Establishes the "Prostitution Offender Internet Registry."
Imposes mandatory education requirements and additional penalties for persons convicted of engaging a prostitute; establishes the "Offender Education Program;" requires HIV testing for offender.
"Consumer Access to Health Care Act"; eliminates requirement of joint protocol with physician for advanced practice nurses to prescribe medication.
"New Jersey Disaster Victims' Bill of Rights"; authorizes $500 million emergency State bonds and appropriates money for municipal property tax relief program.
"New Jersey All-Payer Claims Database Act"; establishes New Jersey All-Payer Claims Database and arbitration process for reimbursing out-of-network health care providers.
Provides conditions for dismissal of certain drug-related charges against defendant who seeks emergency medical assistance for drug overdose.
Upgrades penalty for unlawful possession of certain firearms on grounds of an educational institution.
Permits municipalities to hold certain inactive liquor licenses reserved for smart growth developments for an additional five years.
Revises requirements for licensure and creates physician-delegated scope of practice for physician assistants.
Requires local governments and school boards in SHBP/SEHBP to certify savings based on three bids from non-SHBP/SEHBP plans before continuing SHBP/SEHBP in new collective negotiations agreements.
Requires at least one State developmental center in each region of State; requires certain factors to be considered for transfer of residents between developmental centers.
Allows tax credits for development of qualified wind energy facilities in certain portfield sites.
Prohibits gender based rating of certain long-term care insurance policies.
"Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensing Act."
"Parkinson's Disease Public Awareness and Education Act."
Establishes "Rutgers, The State University Study Commission."
Revises statutes regarding practice of physical therapy.
Provides for Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for mental health services provided through telepsychiatry.
Requires pharmacies and prescribers to notify patients about how to ensure proper and safe disposal of unused prescription drugs.
Prohibits bio-analytical laboratories from charging certain patients more than 115% of the applicable Medicare rate.
Permits boards of education to establish donated leave programs for their employees as an alternative to the sick leave banks which are currently permitted by law.
Filed1
Extends statute of limitations in certain civil actions for sexual abuse; expands the categories of potentially liable defendants; and revives certain actions. *
Co-sponsored
Became law · 11
Permits veterans' organizations to use net proceeds from games of chance for organizations' support.
Establishes standards of practice for providers of clinical nursing services for medically fragile students.*
Authorizes payment of funeral expenses for certain public safety employees killed in line of duty.
Requires Commissioner of Health to review State hospital financial reporting requirements, report recommendations to Governor.*
Prohibits discrimination against potential organ transplant recipient on basis of mental or physical disability.
Provides surviving spouses of certain fire and police personnel who die in line of duty with workers' compensation for entire period of survivorship.
Creates the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act" to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
"New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Provider Demonstration Project Act."
Declares violence a public health crisis. and establishes "Study Commission on Violence."*
"Building Our Future Bond Act"; authorizes the issuance of $750,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance higher educational capital projects for increasing of academic capacity; appropriates $5,000.
Prohibits limitations on number of strains of medical marijuana cultivated, and expands available means of packaging and distribution therof.**
Vetoed · 10
Provides loan redemption for certain physicians who work in State four years.*
Permits a student to participate in certain voluntary surveys if the district sends prior written notification to the student's parents; limits use of information obtained from survey.*
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.
Allows establishment of county-wide purchasing system for certain school district services; offers employment protections for certain food or custodial services employees; and regulates subcontracting by districts and public higher education institutions
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.*
Permits attending advanced practice nurse to determine cause of death and execute death certification of patient if nurse is patient's primary caregiver.*
"New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act."
Prohibits Medicaid managed care organizations from reducing certain provider reimbursement rates without approval from DHS.*
Increases benefit amounts under New Jersey earned income tax credit program to 25 percent of federal earned income tax credit amounts beginning in Tax Year 2013.
Revises statutes concerning firearms purchaser identification cards and handgun purchase permits; makes handgun purchase permit valid for four years.
Passed the Senate · 3
Concerns certain workers' compensation supplemental benefits.
Revises statutes concerning permissible length of time between certain public questions in certain municipalities.
Concerns special needs trusts for persons with developmental disabilities.*
Out of committee · 23
Increases minimum wage to $8.50, then makes annual adjustments based on CPI increases.
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
"Janet's Law"; requires public and nonpublic schools to have automated external defibrillators and to establish emergency action plans for responding to sudden cardiac events.*
Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for those persons currently residing in nursing facilities, State hospitals or State developmental centers.
Provides one-third of motor vehicle fine moneys generated through State Police issued tickets go to municipality where violation occurred.
Requires State Treasurer to disseminate information about organ and tissue donation; designates April each year as "Donate Life Month."
Increases benefit amounts under New Jersey earned income credit program to 25 percent of federal earned income tax credit amounts beginning in Tax Year 2012.*
The "Safe Playing Fields Act"; restricts use of lawn care pesticides at child care centers and certain schools.*
"New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Act."
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.
Permits chief administrator of MVC to waive CDL skills test for certain applicants with military experience operating commercial motor vehicles.*
Clarifies statutory exemptions from mandatory immunizations for students.
Requires professional boards to provide waivers or exemptions from requirements for licensure for veterans with substantially equivalent training.
Authorizes Judiciary to revise or supplement fees, subject to limitations, to fund e-court information system and Legal Services of New Jersey; provides for review of such fees by Judiciary.
"New Jersey Medical and Health Sciences Education Restructuring Act."
Reorganizes Department of Children and Families.
Reorganizes and renames DHSS as Department of Health; establishes Division of Aging Services in DHS.
Authorizes special Ancient Order of Hibernians license plate.
Changes pejorative terminology referring to mental capacity of individuals.
The "Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act."
Permits person with developmental disability and legal guardian to audio record sessions of interdisciplinary team in which person or guardian participates.
Requires that certain HIV testing be performed within 48 hours of request by victim.
Appropriates $1,393,084 from 2009 Historic Preservation Fund to provide historic site management grants for certain historic preservation projects.
In committee · 47
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as State song.
Requires wireless cell phone company to inform subscribers that cell phone GPS capability may be deactivated.
Requires hospitals implement Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection prevention programs in all units except inpatient psychiatric units.
Requires hearing and approval of premium changes for individual and small employer health benefits plans; expands jurisdiction of Division of Rate Counsel.
Establishes the "Study Commission on the Cost-Effectiveness of Contracting with Nonprofit Organizations."
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Concerns workers' compensation insurance requirements for certain corporations.
Requires insurers, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare to reimburse for childhood immunizations at levels specified by regulation.
Permits payments in subsidized adoption until child becomes 21 years of age under certain circumstances.
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.
Requires voter approval at the annual school election or by the board of school estimate prior to the establishment of a charter school.
Prohibits use of education and occupation as rating factors in automobile insurance underwriting.
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.
"New Jersey Healthcare Exchange Act."
Revises Newborn Screening program in DHSS.
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.
Supplements FY2012 annual appropriations act to require filing of application for expansion of Medicaid coverage for family planning services and appropriates $1 million.
Requires parole board under certain circumstances to release inmates not convicted of a violent crime under the No Early Release Act at the time of parole eligibility.
Revises membership of Public Health Council and fully restores functions, powers, and duties of council.
Requires managed care plans, SHBP, and SEHBP to provide for reasonable accommodation in accessing providers for persons with physical disabilities.
Requires labeling of foods containing genetically modified material.
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.
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability.
Requires HIV tests for certain convicted sex offenders.
Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities.
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 DHSS to post on website information concerning hospital emergency department staffing and services for pediatric patients.
Prohibits the restraint of prisoners during and immediately after childbirth.
Extends time period for municipalities to commit to expend collected development fees and payments-in-lieu of constructing affordable units.
Requires certain energy tax receipts to be paid directly to municipalities.
Requires tenure charges be filed against any public school employee found to have bullied a student and requires the employment of any nontenured public school employee be terminated for such activity.
"New Jersey Long-Term Care Oversight Act."
Requires public utilities to provide customers notice of request for increase in rates; revises requirements related to hearings on proposed rate increases.
Clarifies application of business personal property tax on local exchange telephone companies that were subject to tax as of April 1, 1997.
Establishes regulatory and reporting program for all ammunition sales.
Requires emergency action plans for delivery of oxygen to patient residences during public health emergency.
Reduces the maximum lawful capacity of ammunition magazines; prohibits possession of certain firearms having a caliber of 50 or greater.
Authorizes disclosure by DCF of child abuse and neglect information to religious institutions.
Establishes Controlled Dangerous Substances Law Enforcement Coordinating Task Force.
Requires boards of education to adopt policies to make schools asthma-friendly.
Clarifies that crime victim has a right to make a victim impact statement directly to the defendant at sentencing.
Requires certain disclosures in advertisements by health care professionals.
Requires prescribers and pharmacists to check prescription monitoring program prior to prescribing and dispensing Schedule II drugs.
Concerns availability of services and administrative requirements of federally qualified health centers.
Requires public school student to receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of automated external defibrillator as requirement for high school graduation.