Bills in the 2020–2021 Session, Senate.
Nicholas P. Scutari
Sponsored
Became law8
Expands workers' compensation coverage to parking areas provided by employer.
Requires automobile insurers to disclose policy limits upon request by an attorney under certain circumstances.
"New Jersey Insurance Fair Conduct Act."
Concerns local government regulation of installation, maintenance and repair of perimeter fence intrusion protection systems, other alarm systems, and locksmithing services.
Clarifies eligibility for deferred retirement for certain judges in JRS.
Reclassifies possession of psilocybin as disorderly persons offense.
Appropriates $2 million to CRDA to support costs associated with hosting NAACP National Convention in Atlantic City.*
Limits fees charged to patients and authorized third parties for copies of medical and billing records.
Vetoed2
Affords employment protection to certain emergency medical responders.
Requires assignment of unemployment claims handlers to legislative districts during COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; appropriates $1.8 million.
Passed the Senate4
Concerns eligibility, procedures, and post-program relief for certain drug or alcohol dependent persons sentenced to special probation, or regular probation which as a condition of such requires substance use disorders treatment. *
Requires business owners and rental unit owners to maintain certain liability insurance policies.
Establishes Co-Curricular Activity Emergency Grant Program to support operations of co-curricular activities at public schools; appropriates $750,000.
Provides for advocate in criminal cases concerning welfare or care of animal.
Out of committee19
"New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act"; legalizes personal use cannabis for certain adults, subject to State regulation; decriminalizes small amount marijuana and hashish possession; removes marijuana
Establishes "Transportation Services Coordination Task Force."
Provides that users of Access Link paratransit service are automatically eligible for and enrolled in motor bus and rail passenger discounted fare program.
Establishes COVID-19 Transitional Assistance Local Grant Program in DHS.
Directs State Auditor to audit Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance in DOLWD.
Limits investigatory powers of city councils over municipal officers and employees.
Concerns workers' compensation; revises effective date of P.L.2019, c.387 to clarify that law applies to cases pending, but not yet settled, or filed on or after of enactment; increases burial expense allowance.*
Expands topics to be covered regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety on MVC driver's license knowledge test.
Establishes wine consultant permit; increases solicitor's permit fee.*
Establishes "COVID-19 PCR Testing Transparency Act"; requires COVID-19 PCR test results to be provided within specific timeframes and regulates cost of COVID-19 PCR tests.*
Establishes COVID-19 Local Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program in DHS; appropriates $4 million.
Concerns certain regulated substances, with particular emphasis on underage possession or consumption of various forms of cannabis, including legal consequences for such activities set forth in legislation passed by both Houses of Legislature.*
Creates certain requirements for certain earned income access services and related provider contracts.
Requires stipends for certain members of boards, commissions, committees, and other public entities.
Revises modified basic training program for certain county correctional police officers to be certified as county prosecutor's detectives or investigators or county or municipal police officers. *
Establishes criminal penalties for production, sale, and use of false COVID-19 vaccination verification card; requires AG to establish COVID-19 vaccination fraud prevention program.
Establishes order of protection for current or former judge; upgrades and clarifies harassment against current or former judge; bars firearms possession by persons against whom current or former judge order of protection is entered.
Clarifies classification in this State of criminal offenses committed in other states or under federal law.
Allows certain persons not yet appointed as administrator of estate to pursue lawsuit for damages for wrongful death on behalf of deceased's survivors.
In committee56
Restricts access to motor vehicle accident reports under certain circumstances.
Provides for two-year post-employment restriction on certain employees of the Department of Banking and Insurance.
Prohibits certain violations of terms of service for Internet ticket sales.
Makes provisions of the "New Jersey False Claims Act" retroactive under certain circumstances.
Requires State contracts to include provisions imposing penalties on vendor or contractor for contract violations.
Requires all attorneys engaged in private practice of law in New Jersey be covered by legal malpractice liability insurance.
Regulates installation, maintenance, and repair of low-voltage alarm systems and battery-charged fences.
Requires certain sellers of used motor vehicles to notify MVC of sale; limits liability of certain sellers after sale of used motor vehicles.
Requires door to operator's cabin be locked on NJT trains.
Permits travel by legislator to foreign country to be paid for by foreign country when legislator travels in official capacity.
Expands wrongful death act to allow recovery for mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering, loss of society and loss of companionship.
Requires motor vehicle insurance policies to include certain underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage.
Repeals no-fault automobile insurance law and requires mandatory liability insurance law for motor vehicles.
Provides that limitation on lawsuit option does not apply in accidents caused by drunk or reckless drivers.
Deletes prior authorization requirements by certain insurers for accessing certain health care services.
Establishes "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" in Department of Education.
Prohibits pre-approval or precertification of medical tests, procedures and prescription drugs covered under health benefits or prescription drug benefits plans.
Requires registry of animal rescue organizations; requires animal rescue, pet shop, shelter, or pound notify person adopting or purchasing animal of animal's behavioral and medical history; designated as "Rocky's Law."
Increases certain minimum limits for motor vehicle and automobile insurance coverages.
Eliminates certain personal injury protection options available under standard automobile insurance policies; requires $250,000 of medical expense benefits under standard and basic automobile insurance policies.
Requires certain physicians to perform examination for potential brain injury related to workers' compensation award; requires Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to mandate brain injury training and protocol for employers and insurance carrie
Increases amount of credit for incarceration resulting from default of court-imposed financial obligation or motor vehicle penalty.
Requires DOC to notify inmates of outstanding motor vehicle fines or penalties and permits inmate to enter into payment plan upon release from incarceration.
Increases number of sheriff's officers that may be hired as sheriff's investigators.
Authorizes EDA to provide financial assistance to certain business incubator facilities.
Provides gross income tax credit for certain homeschooling expenses.
Prohibits sale and distribution of nail products containing dibutyl phthalates, toluene, or formaldehyde.
Requires hospitals to include warning in patient discharge papers concerning risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid medications.
Requires county health departments to maintain reserve stock of opioid antidotes to dispense to certain entities on interim basis to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Prohibits use of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products by food delivery drivers while engaged in food delivery.
Establishes School Connectivity Grant Program to expand access to online instruction for economically disadvantaged students; makes appropriation.
Increases maximum penalty for certain violations concerning asbestos hazard abatement; allocates moneys from increased penalties to asbestos control and licensure programs.
Permits physicians to make referrals to certain surgical centers.
Removes limitations on expenses of suit and attorneys' fees from third party liability claims in workers' compensation cases.
Prohibits workers' compensation insurance carrier from filing subrogation claim against third party for employee injury arising from automobile accident.
Establishes Education Rescue Grant Program in DOE to support qualified personnel costs of school districts impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
Establishes registry of out-of-state contractors who are awarded public works contracts in this State.
Requires Division of Taxation conduct audits of out-of-State contractors that have entered into State and private contracts.
Establishes "COVID-19 Testing Transparency Act."
Eliminates New Jersey Automobile Insurance Risk Exchange.
Extends prevailing wage requirements to certain for-sale housing projects.
Requires certain proof be provided by civil union partners or spouses of natural or legal parents of children when filing joint complaints for judgments of adoption.
Requires consultation with insurance producer or provision of cost benefit analysis prior to sale of automobile insurance policy.
Requires automobile insurance policies to provide certain minimum amounts of liability, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist coverage.
Prohibits Internet service providers from increasing service rates during public health emergency or state of emergency; requires Internet service providers to notify subscribers six months in advance of service rate increase.
Permits certain prosecutors to transfer service credit from PERS to Prosecutors Part of PERS.
Requires reporting of campaign contributions exceeding $200 within 72 hours and eliminates quarterly reports; removes campaign contribution limits.
Aligns commercial driver license forfeiture for certain DWI offenses involving non-commercial motor vehicle with forfeiture of basic driver's license for these offenses.
Provides tax credits to small employers that rehire employees laid off for reasons of economy due to COVID-19 public health emergency.
Imposes administrative fees on certain out-of State contractors.
Requires each principal department in Executive Branch and each State college to conduct review of department's or college's cybersecurity infrastructure and make recommendations.
Allows for relocation of certain medical cannabis alternative treatment centers with personal use licenses from municipalities banning personal use cannabis businesses.
Establishes "Gambling Treatment Diversion Court Pilot Program" with the criminal justice system.
Allows alarm business professionals and locksmiths to include website with license number on advertisement.
Requires food delivery network company to maintain certain automobile insurance.
Authorizes student attending institution of higher education to earn credit towards graduation for serving as poll worker.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law8
"New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act"; legalizes personal use cannabis for certain adults, subject to State regulation; decriminalizes small amount marijuana and hashish possession; removes marijuana
Provides that users of Access Link paratransit service are automatically eligible for and enrolled in motor bus and rail passenger discounted fare program.
Concerns workers' compensation; revises effective date of P.L.2019, c.387 to clarify that law applies to cases pending, but not yet settled, or filed on or after date of enactment; increases burial expense allowance.*
Clarifies classification in this State of criminal offenses committed in other states or under federal law.
Concerns certain regulated substances, with particular emphasis on underage possession or consumption of various forms of cannabis, including legal consequences for such activities set forth in legislation passed by both Houses of Legislature.*
Establishes order of protection for current or former judge; upgrades and clarifies harassment against current or former judge; bars firearms possession by persons against whom current or former judge order of protection is entered.
Revises modified basic training program for certain county correctional police officers to be certified as county prosecutor's detectives or investigators or county or municipal police officers.*
Allows certain persons not yet appointed as administrator of estate to pursue lawsuit for damages for wrongful death on behalf of deceased's survivors.
Passed the General Assembly1
Creates certain requirements for certain earned income access services and related provider contracts.*
Co-sponsored
Became law · 17
Designates, as State and public holiday, third Friday in June as Juneteenth Day.*
Allows public office holder or candidate to use political contributions to pay for child care expenses related to office or campaign activities.
Requires certain health care professionals to undergo explicit and implicit bias training.*
Reopens Workers Compensation Judges Part of PERS and requires Workers' Compensation Judges to be enrolled in PERS.*
"Laura Wooten's Law"; Requires civics instruction in middle school; authorizes New Jersey Center for Civic Education to provide curricula, professional development and technical assistance for middle and high school civics.*
"Healthy Terminals Act"; requires certain airport and train station workers to be paid certain wage rates and benefits.*
Prohibits sale of cosmetic products that have been tested on animals.
Concerns family leave and disability benefits during epidemic-related emergencies.
Concerns employment benefits and coronavirus disease 2019 infections contracted by essential employees.
Requires DMVA assist service members discharged solely due to LGBTQ status with petitions to change discharge designation.
Creates two-year "Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities Pilot Program" in Juvenile Justice Commission; appropriates $4.2 million in FY 2022 and FY 2023. *
Allows Board of Cosmetology Hairstyling licensees to operate mobile facilities when providing services.
Provides accidental death benefits in certain circumstances to surviving spouse and surviving child of SPRS member or retiree who participated in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations.
Expands opportunities for restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries to provide outdoor dining and permits certain sales at seasonal farm markets in response to COVID-19 public health emergency.
Amends certain provisions and effective date applicable to disclosure of personal information of judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers.
Provides that in personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits, calculations of lost or impaired earnings capacity not be reduced because of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, or affectional or sexual orientation.**
Establishes Kean University as public urban research university.
Vetoed · 4
Revises definition of "public works projects" to permit project labor agreements for more projects.
Authorizes State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct disparity study concerning utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses in State procurement process.
Eliminates mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment determined by Legislature to be of non-violent nature.
Eliminates mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment determined by Legislature to be of non-violent nature.
Passed the Senate · 7
Creates New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission.
Authorizes Governor to restrict rent increases on certain commercial tenants during emergency circumstances; enhances similar existing authority over rent increases on residential tenants.
Allocates $50 million to Department of Labor and Workforce Development from federal government assistance to improve unemployment insurance benefit claims processing capacity.
Establishes "Minority Business Development Program" in EDA; appropriates $50 million to EDA from federal funds.
Establishes position of Minority Depository Institution Coordinator in EDA.
Establishes "Biannual Small Business Matchmaker Initiative" in Department of State.
Authorizes purchaser of automobile by private sale to operate automobile for three-day period following purchase without permanent registration or transfer of title.
Out of committee · 29
Directs the development and posting of notices containing information for victims of human trafficking.
Prohibits State from disclosing New Jersey driver's license holders' personal information to other states seeking to issue speed camera or red light camera citations.
Establishes rebuttable presumption that person who commits domestic violence by strangling victim be detained prior to trial.
Prohibits health club services contracts from limiting liability for injuries caused by negligence of health club.
Creates certain requirements for earned income access services.
Prohibits landlords from accepting certain housing assistance from other states.
Includes crime of creating false public alarms as form of bias intimidation.
Establishes "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program."
Prohibits discrimination against living organ donors in relation to life, health, and long-term care insurance.
Authorizes the issuance of "coronavirus relief bonds" by municipalities and counties.
Provides for certain criminal and civil justice reforms, particularly with respect to legal consequences associated with certain marijuana and hashish offences as well as broadening awareness of available expungement relief.*
Implements sentencing recommendations of the Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission to eliminate certain mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment; eliminates mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for crime of official misconduct.*
Provides for resentencing of certain inmates.
Establishes youthful age of defendant as mitigating factor in sentencing.
Permits retroactive modification of certain judgements of conviction; requires study of DOC's anticipated expenses to upgrade data infrastructure.**
Establishes compassionate release program for certain inmates; repeals law that establishes medical parole.
Requires cost savings study of compassionate release program and elimination of mandatory minimum terms; establishes "Corrections Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention Fund."
Extends time period during which seasonal retail consumption license holders may sell alcoholic beverages following COVID-19 pandemic.
Requires DOE to provide funds to school districts for acquisition of technology devices to address digital divide and requires districts to reimburse DOE from available federal funds.
Authorizes MVC to use stored driver's license or identification card photo for longer than eight years; limits certain appointment times at MVC locations to senior citizens and persons with certain medical conditions during COVID-19 pandemic.**
Establishes NJMVC Virtual Check-In Pilot Program.
Provides that AOC shall administer program for municipal courts allowing defendents to engage in online plea negotiations, entry of guilty plea, and payment of fine or penalty.*
Prohibits disclosure of certain personal information of active, formely active, and retired judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, and their family members; establishes crime and civil action for disclosing such information.*
Establishes office in EDA to assist in provision and expansion of broadband Internet service in State to address inequities in accessing broadband service.*
Establishes criminal offenses and civil penalties concerning inhumane confinement of breeding pigs and calves raised for veal.
Requires NJT to pay support staff and subcontractors one-and-a-half times regular rate for work done during state of emergency.
Provides tax credits to qualified small employers in industries impacted by COVID-19 emergency.
Creates Office of Information Privacy; requires, upon request, redaction and nondisclosure of home address of judicial officers, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and immediate family members thereof residing in same household; makes appropriation.
Prohibits tax preparers from engaging in certain practices involving refund anticipation checks and loans.
In committee · 25
"Charlie's Law"; requires pharmacy practice sites and hospice programs to furnish patients with information and means to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs and medications.
Adds member from Judicial Retirement System to State Investment Council.
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Provides gross income tax credits for certain taxpayers who provide blood donations.
Requires disclosure of data recording devices in motor vehicles; limits access to recorded data.
Prohibits release of home addresses of certain public safety employees by governmental entities.
Establishes procedures for individuals arrested for drug intoxication offenses to be transported to substance abuse treatment, and for municipal court to commit such individuals to treatment in lieu of prosecution.
Concerns participation in special probation drug court.
Prohibits possession of firearm by person convicted of animal cruelty.
Changes eligibility of Workers' Compensation Judges from DCRP to PERS; reopens Workers Compensation Judges Part of PERS.
Prohibits medical providers from reporting certain workers' compensation medical charges to collection and credit reporting agencies.
Continues tax exempt status of certain real property owned by disabled veterans during reconstruction of homes destroyed by flood, storm, or other act of God.
Permits certain judges and justices, if approved solely by Senate's advice and consent, to continue service upon expiration of term otherwise resulting in mandatory retirement; eliminates mandatory ages for retirement and ceasing post-retirement recall se
Directs Attorney General to investigate Special One-Time Assistance Program offered by City of New York.
Permits appointment of alternate members for county improvement authorities; permits compensation for members of these authorities.
Establishes one-time payment program in Department of Treasury for aid for certain eligible taxpayers; appropriates $35 million.
Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for persons 18 or younger with diagnosed complex medical needs.
Restores civil liability of nursing homes and related facilities during public health emergency and state of emergency.
Requires certain utilities to allow residential customers to satisfy outstanding balances over time.
Prohibits disclosure of certain personal information of probation officers, members of the Legislature, and their family members; establishes crime and civil action for disclosing such information; allows such persons to register to vote without disclosin
Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.
Establishes program to subsidize purchase price of medical cannabis for registered qualifying patients enrolled in Medicaid or NJ Family Care programs.
Permits DOC and DCF to award contracts for medical and dental services to vendors.
Requires Governor to appoint Chief Accountability Officer to supervise all State ombudsmen, compliance officers, comptrollers, and other officers with substantially similar positions.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 billion for After School Recreation in Urban Areas.
Filed · 17
"Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights Act"; requires certain school meal information be provided to students' parents; establishes protocols for identifying eligible students for meal programs; prohibits stigmatizing student with bill in arrears.
Makes FY 2020 supplemental appropriations of $15 million for grants to food banks.
Concerns prohibition of residential tenant eviction and eviction due to residential foreclosure during certain emergency circumstances.
Requires school districts to provide school meals or meal vouchers to students eligible for free and reduced price school meals during school closures due to COVID-19 epidemic.
Establishes Bridging the Digital Divide in Schools Grant Program in DOE to provide and expand access to technology and equipment for students in certain school districts.
Provides paid leave without utilizing accumulated leave time for local government employees under certain circumstances.
Permits use of virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement under certain circumstances.
Creates "Temporary Lost Wage Unemployment Program;" allows persons to claim for lost wages due to coronavirus disease 2019, and employers to pay wages to workers ordered under quarantine by licensed healthcare practitioner; appropriates $20,000,000.
Permits extension of deadlines for adoption of county and municipal budgets under certain circumstances.
Concerns time off from work in connection with infectious disease.
Establishes confidentiality of court records of certain eviction actions initiated during COVID-19 pandemic.
Appropriates $20 million from General Fund to EDA to support food and beverage establishments impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
Appropriates $50 million from General Fund to EDA to support businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
Appropriates $10 million from General Fund to EDA to support Sustain and Serve NJ Program.
Establishes Startup Business and Nonprofit Assistance Program in EDA to support new businesses and nonprofit organizations following COVID-19 pandemic; appropriates $25 million.
Appropriates $120 million from General Fund to EDA to support microbusinesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
Appropriates $10 million from General Fund to EDA to support child care providers impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.