Bills in the 2020–2021 Session, Senate.
Joseph Pennacchio
Sponsored
Became law4
Establishes "Pediatric Cancer Research Fund" and establishes requirements for disbursement of monies deposited in fund; provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for pediatric cancer research.*
Revises provisions required in school district's anti-bullying policy; provides for civil liability of parent of minor adjudicated delinquent for cyber-harassment or harassment; and increases certain fines against parents.*
Establishes Multigenerational Family Housing Continuity Commission; provides municipal guidance to periodically analyze local advancement of commission's senior citizen housing recommendations.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $10 million for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes.
Passed the Senate7
Creates New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission.
Establishes scholarship program for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in field of fusion science.
Requires Division of Purchase and Property to issue annual report on public contracts awarded to women-owned and minority-owned businesses; requires Division of Revenue to operate Selective Assistance Vendor Information (SAVI) database.
Establishes standards for installation of electric vehicle charging stations; authorizes municipal deviation from standards; exempts installation at gasoline service station from certain requirements.*
Requires any POW-MIA flag purchased with State funds be manufactured in United States.
Establishes task force to study issues facing returning members of US Armed Forces, NJ National Guard, and reserve component of US Armed Forces; creates permanent commission to study various definitions related to veteran status.*
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research.
Out of committee2
Concerns baked goods sold at farm markets.
Permits municipalities to refund excess property taxes paid by taxpayer who wins assessment appeal as property tax credit.
In committee74
Concerns certain workers' compensation supplemental benefits for surviving dependents of public safety workers who die in the line of duty.
Requires consumer reporting agencies to provide a consumer with a free credit report three times during any 12-month period upon request.
Increases income eligibility limit for reduction or abatement of municipal or county utility authority fees.
Exempts construction, expansion, or renovation of public institutions of higher education, public schools, and police and fire academies from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Allows public contractors paying benefits under collective bargaining agreements to count benefit costs toward compliance with local "living wage" ordinances.
Eliminates age restriction for issuing special permits to carry handgun to retired law enforcement officers.
"Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Cargo Facility Charge Act."
Removes income eligibility cap applicable to gross income tax pension and retirement income exclusion.
Allocates 10 percent of Green Acres funding to local government units for development of completely inclusive playgrounds.
Prohibits public institutions of higher education from making certain payouts to departing employees that are not contractually obligated; requires Secretary of Higher Education to approve certain higher education employment contracts.
"Mallory's Law"; revises provisions required in school district's anti-bullying policy; provides for civil liability of parent of minor adjudicated delinquent for cyber-harassment or harassment; and increases certain fines against parents.
Requires person convicted, or fleeing charge, of sex offense in foreign country to register under Megan's Law; requires law enforcement to inquire about immigration status of sex offenders and cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Adds fusion to types of Class I renewable energies as defined for purposes of "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act."
Provides that fusion energy and fusion technology companies are eligible to receive benefits under certain economic incentive programs.
"Fusion Technology Industry Promotion Act"; establishes program to promote fusion technology industry and attract fusion technology businesses.
Establishes NJ Fusion Technology Industry Commission.
Waives certain professional and occupational licensing fees for individuals and spouses with military status under certain circumstances.
Requires automobile insurers to provide certain information regarding premiums relating to PIP coverage in certain circumstances.
Provides certain homestead exemption in medical malpractice judgments; prohibits insurers from raising medical malpractice liability insurance premiums under certain circumstances.
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from requiring certain consumer identification for return of merchandise.
"Flood Control, Mitigation, and Prevention Bond Act"; authorizes bonds for up to $2 billion, and appropriates $5,000.
Prohibits using cadaveric fetal tissue obtained from elective abortion procedure for research purposes and using any cadaveric fetal tissue to research cosmetic treatments.
Provides for reduced sales tax imposition on certain sales in certain Highlands Region Preservation Area municipalities.
Allows certain dogs and cats in restaurants if authorized by municipal ordinance.
Permits ambulatory care facility to deduct Medicaid payments when calculating gross receipts assessment.
Permits ambulatory care facility to deduct up to $125,000 in Medicare reimbursements when calculating gross receipts assessment.
Establishes Office of State Dental Director and New Jersey Oral Health Commission.
Requires managed care plans to allow any clinical laboratory to participate in provider network.
Exempts expansion or reconstruction, within 125 percent of existing footprint, of municipal and county buildings and certain emergency services buildings from "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act."
Establishes Triploid Grass Carp Commission to study use of triploid grass carp in freshwater lakes for weed control.
"Transparency in Government Act;" provides for establishment of State public finance website; requires certain public entities receiving State funds to establish similar website; makes an appropriation.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for treatment of tick-borne diseases.
Excludes from gross income the contributions that certain federal employees classified as criminal investigators make to the federal Thrift Savings Fund.
Directs school districts to establish policies and require training for employees on issues regarding child sexual abuse.
Establishes "Conflict Resolution in Schools Commission."
Dedicates $500,000 from the General Fund to NJ Greenwood Lake Fund.
Permits certain applicants to submit personal statement of veteran status, in lieu of determination of veteran status, prior to issuance of civil service eligible list; requires submission of determination of status prior to employment.
Requires bidders on public works construction projects to submit information on fire safety features.
Eliminates demand side management programs from cost recovery through societal benefits charge.
Directs NJ Sports and Exposition Authority to conduct feasibility study of Meadowlands convention center project.
Expands audit powers of State Auditor; requires online publication of certain materials; requires performance review audits of certain business incentive programs.
Requires MVC to accept emergency medical technician and paramedic certification cards as two points of documentation for purposes of MVC identification verification program.
Provides gross income tax deductions for membership fees, dam project assessments and potable water system project assessments paid to lake associations.
Provides for direct State payment of cost of special education and related services for certain students.
Requires sex offenders in satellite-based monitoring program to pay for certain equipment and monitoring costs.
Revises method of determining reimbursement costs when a law enforcement entity hires a recently trained officer from another law enforcement entity.
Encourages wearing blue to honor law enforcement officers on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Establishes home elevation fund and dedicates up to $5 million of realty transfer fee revenue annually for this purpose.
Revises requirements for administration of vaccines to patients.
Provides for certain group home licensees to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for reservation of beds used by residents on therapeutic leave.
Authorizes use of retail coupons for purchase of milk by consumers.
Modifies "New Jersey Tort Claims Act" to provide for State to be strictly liable for injuries caused by State-mandated vaccines.
"Children's Vaccination Bill of Rights"; provides children in State with certain protections concerning vaccines.
Allocates $10 million of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes.
Allows commercial property owners to claim certain amounts of commercial tenant rent forgiveness during COVID-19 emergency as deduction against property owner's income under CBT and GIT.
Allows commercial property owner to claim tax credit against CBT or GIT for providing commercial tenant rent forgiveness during COVID-19 emergency.
Removes limit in Emergency Health Powers Act on access to public and government records.
Temporarily upgrades certain offenses against persons during Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by Governor's Executive Order 103 of 2020 concerning coronavirus pandemic.
"Sally's Law"; establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.
Clarifies spitting in law enforcement officer's food or drink constitutes aggravated assault; requires certain sanctions on restaurant employees who commit this crime.
Prohibits government entity or school from requiring influenza vaccinations for persons who are 18 years of age or younger.
Provides three-year phase-in of full funding of extraordinary special education State aid.
Requires informed consent for breast implant surgery.
Modifies rate-regulation over municipal electric utilities.
Permits municipality to obtain affordable housing credit for each resident of alternative living arrangement.
Requires public schools to post curriculum plans online; requires school districts to make textbooks or other materials used in implementing curriculum plans available for inspection by parents and legal guardians.
Creates permanent commission to study various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran.
Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crime committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately.
Imposes moratorium on affordable housing litigation until December 31, 2028.
Requires board of education to publicly post full meeting agenda 48 hours prior to meeting.
Creates "Unemployment Intake Accountability Pilot Program."
Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State-owned lakes; appropriates $1 million.
Requires entities to accept confirmation of prior COVID-19 infection or protective immune response against COVID-19 when proof of vaccination is required.
Requires use of paper ballots during conduct of election; requires use of open source voting technology; makes appropriation.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law1
Permits municipalities to refund excess property taxes paid by taxpayer who wins assessment appeal as property tax credit.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 14
Requires certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline.
Renames "board of chosen freeholders" to "board of county commissioners" and "freeholder" and "chosen freeholder" to "county commissioner"; requires counties to update materials to reflect this title change.
Provides civil and criminal immunity to certain health care professionals and health care facilities during public health emergency and state of emergency; facilitates issuance of certain temporary licenses and certifications during public health emergenc
"COVID-19 Fiscal Mitigation Act"; clarifies filing and payment deadline for CBT and GIT taxpayers, modifies duration of State Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021, requires certain updates and presentation for State Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021.
Permits nonprofit corporations to allow members to participate in meetings by means of remote communication, and permits nonprofit corporations to hold meetings in part or solely by means of remote communication during state of emergency.
Requires Medicaid and health insurance coverage for certain refills of prescription drugs during state of emergency.
Changes date of 2020 primary election from June 2 to July 7.
Delays mandatory retirement in SPRS when it would occur during period of state of emergency; extends eligibility for appointment as member of State Police and enrollment in SPRS for 160th Class of NJ State Police.*
Provides relief to students receiving State financial aid to address special circumstances due to 2020 public health state of emergency.
Requires hospitals to report COVID-19 demographic data.
Concerns family leave benefits during epidemic-related emergencies.
Allows active duty service members to provide document other than DD-214 when claiming veterans' preference for civil service.
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.
Establishes immunity relating to COVID-19 spread in planned real estate developments.
Vetoed · 5
Establishes "2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program"; appropriates $100 million.
Establishes Employment and Business-Related Tax Deferral Assistance Program in EDA to allow small businesses to defer the payment and remittance of certain employment and business-related taxes during COVID-19 public health emergency.
Affords employment protection to certain emergency medical responders.
Prohibits cancellation or nonrenewal of insurance policies and insurance premium finance agreements for a period of at least 60 days under certain circumstances after declaration of public health emergency, or state of emergency, or both.**
Requires assignment of unemployment claims handlers to legislative districts during COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; appropriates $1.8 million.
Passed the Senate · 6
"Chloe's Pet Access Law"; permits dogs in outdoor seating areas of restaurants under certain circumstances; codifies current requirements concerning live animals in food establishments.
Requires refunds or credit for transient space reservations when public health emergency or state of emergency is in effect.
Allows CBT and GIT tax credits to certain taxpayers that retain employees during COVID-19 pandemic.
Makes information related to public health emergency accessible with certain limited exceptions.
Prohibits carrier from precluding dentist from billing covered person under certain circumstances.*
Requires BPU to conduct study of effect of coronavirus 2019 pandemic on local and public utility service and to quarterly collect and publish certain local and public utility service and customer information.
Out of committee · 22
Directs the development and posting of notices containing information for victims of human trafficking.
"New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act."
Establishes Office of Labor Law Enforcement.
Makes annual compensation paid to surviving spouses of certain blind or disabled veterans payable from date of veteran's death.
Requires issuance of one free copy of birth certificate to military veteran.
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability. *
Upgrades certain crimes of misrepresenting oneself as member or veteran of US Armed Forces or organized militia.
Permits issuance of motorcycle endorsement to certain out-of-State military personnel.
Permits county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages to issue identification card to Gold Star Family Member.
Requires DMVA notify certain veteran organizations and county officers of names of persons buried or cremated in State veteran cemeteries.*
Allows veteran or personal representative to withdraw honorable discharge papers from county clerk.
Provides civil service preference to military service members who did not serve in theater of operation but received campaign or expedition medal.
Extends certain permits, approvals, and deadlines during COVID-19 emergency.*
Requires DMVA to partner with National Guard Association of New Jersey to offer State-sponsored life insurance for members of New Jersey National Guard.
Prohibits persons from receiving compensation for advising or assisting with veterans benefits.
Expands offenses eligible for expungement upon successful discharge from drug court.
Establishes small hospitality business winter preparation purchase or reimbursement program in EDA; appropriates $50 million to EDA from federal funds.
Prohibits imposition of certain charges on voice communications service bill that were not authorized by customer.
Directs Department of Agriculture to establish New Jersey Minority, Woman, and Underserved Farmer Registry.
Authorizes military service members, spouses, and dependents with out-of-state domicile to operate motor vehicles in New Jersey.
Temporarily expands summer working hours for certain minors.
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.
In committee · 35
"Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act."
Requires 100 percent of State aid for certain special education students be calculated as categorical aid.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
"New Jersey Jobs Protection Act;" requires verification of employment.
"Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"; bans abortion 20 weeks or more after fertilization.
"Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances.
Requires local governments to purchase excess insurance for certain renewable energy projects financed by bonds.
Requires public referendum prior to issuance of general obligation bonds by local units.
Establishes a formula for the distribution of State aid to school districts.
Establishes "New Jersey Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act."
Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.
"Reliability, Preparedness, and Storm Response Act"; requires public utilities to file certain information concerning emergency preparedness with BPU and increases certain penalties.
Increases gross income tax pension and retirement income exclusion for certain taxpayers.
Requires physicians to provide patients opportunity to undergo obstetrical ultrasound or sonogram within 48 hours of performing abortion.
Provides for process to vacate and expunge certain arrests, charges, complaints, convictions, other dispositions, and DNA records, associated with violations by certain human trafficking victims.
Concerns treatment of certain foreign-sourced income subject to federal income tax treaty under CBT.
Limits to 14 days effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations.
Provides that public school parent who objects to learning material or activity that parent considers harmful may receive voucher from school district to enroll student in nonpublic school.
Establishes certain guidelines for health insurance carriers concerning step therapy protocols.
Authorizes payment of just compensation to businesses for losses due to public health emergency closures.
Appropriates $300 million to EDA for small business and not-for-profit organization assistance.
Establishes Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities.
Establishes "Commission on People with Disabilities."
Requires voter who wishes to vote by mail to complete application for mail-in ballot each calendar year; repeals automatic vote-by-mail designation.
Prohibits mail-in ballot outer envelope from containing political affiliation or designation visible to public.
Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity.
Provides for agreement between Secretary of State and AOC to match information in Statewide voter registration system with certain jury records in order to identify and remove ineligible non-citizen voter registrants from system.
Appropriates $300 million to EDA for small business and not-for-profit corporation assistance to preserve and create jobs, spur economic growth, and preserve the viability and vitality of communities.
Provides that if minor under age 18 unlawfully buys or possesses alcoholic beverages or cannabis and receives written warning from law enforcement, the minor's parent or guardian would be notified in writing.
Revises emergency care services referral standards for providers of telemedicine and telehealth.
Provides that certain school districts will receive State school aid in amounts equal to aid provided in 2020-2021 school year.
Prohibits mandatory mask use at youth camps.
Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses.
Broadens offense of riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly.
Prohibits teaching of critical race theory in public schools; prohibits public school teachers from engaging in political, ideological, or religious advocacy in classroom.
Filed · 5
Requires food access information be displayed on websites of 2-1-1 system and executive branch departments during public health emergencies to the extent practicable.
Permits professional and occupational licensing boards to reactivate licensure of certain individuals during state of emergency or public health emergency.
Allows remote notarial acts, and other acts executing and verifying certain documents, by notaries public and other authorized officials during public health emergency and state of emergency declared by Governor's Executive Order 103 of 2020.
Permits use of virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement under certain circumstances.
Provides enhanced penalty for distribution of counterfeit drugs and medical devices during declared states of emergency.