Bills in the 2024–2025 Session, Senate.
Renee C. Burgess
Sponsored
Became law2
Requires AG to establish rape kit tracking system.
Requires DCPP to consult with Division of Developmental Disabilities following finding of child abuse or neglect to create services plan for person with developmental disability under certain circumstances.
Out of committee8
Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance.
Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for preeclampsia.*
Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products.
Requires Medicaid coverage for motorized wheelchairs for nursing facility residents under certain circumstances.
Mandates Division of Developmental Disabilities service providers to complete workforce survey.
Concerns credit inquiries for rental applications.
Requires DOH to study racial aspects of ovarian cancer.
Prohibits social media platforms from promoting certain practices or features of eating disorders to child users.
In committee25
Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 billion for After School Recreation in Urban Areas; stipulates uses of, and eligibility criteria for, funds.
Requires DCA to conduct surveys and report data related to homelessness in administering the Rental Assistance Navigation Program.
Establishes "Guaranteed Rental Payment Pilot Program" for certain low-income tenants; appropriates $10,000,000.
Establishes certain benefits for Class Two special law enforcement officers; allows arson investigators to carry a firearm at all times.
Creates State contract set-aside program for businesses owned and operated by persons with disabilities.
Permits students experiencing menstrual disorder to attend school remotely.
Establishes Employer-Based Child Care Assistance Partnership Program in DCF.
Requires certain health care professionals to undergo bias training.
Requires premium payment made to municipality by purchaser of tax lien to be paid to property owner under certain circumstances.
Clarifies rights of parents with disabilities in child protective proceedings.
Concerns collection of data relating to Haitian migrants in NJ.
Requires school districts to permit students excused absences while experiencing symptoms of menstrual disorder.
"Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act."
Establishes United Network for Inclusive Teaching and Youth Grant Program; makes appropriation.
Establishes "Reproductive Health Access for Haitian Migrants Act."
Requires $1 million annual appropriation to certain educational services commissions for school facilities projects and school security improvements.
Establishes Sign Language Interpreting Services Providers Loan Redemption Program; appropriates $2 million.
Increases certain local public contract bid threshold.
Establishes task force to examine public school programs and services designed to address student mental health.
Requires prescriptions for certain patients to include patients' weight.
Requires cosmetology and hairstyling licensees to complete domestic violence sensitivity and response training.
Requires law enforcement officers to complete training regarding identification of machine gun conversion devices.
Requires DOH to inspect reports of mold infestation in health care facilities.
Grants full police status to special agents in Department of Treasury; authorizes special agents to carry firearms at all times.
Requires Medicaid coverage for assisted living services for individuals with serious mental illnesses.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law3
Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance.
Requires DOH to study racial aspects of ovarian cancer.
Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products.
Vetoed1
Prohibits social media platforms from promoting certain practices or features of eating disorders to child users.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 23
Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services.**
Provides for expanded use of affordable housing voucher program funding.*
Requires health benefits coverage for additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances under certain circumstances; requires coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances obtained through podiatrists.*
Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum for grades three through five.*
Regulates provision of pharmaceutical services in long-term care facilities.
Requires DEP, DOH, owners or operators of certain public community water systems, and owners or operators of certain buildings or facilities to take certain actions to prevent and control cases of Legionnaires' disease.*
Establishes Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Therapy Pilot Program; appropriates $6 million.**
Requires private bus operators to provide notice and hold public meetings for certain service changes.
Requires DOE to establish working group on student literacy; mandates universal literacy screenings for kindergarten through grade three students; requires professional development for certain school district employees.*
Requires New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish public awareness campaign on benefits of doula and midwife services.*
Prohibits food service business from providing single-use utensils and condiments to customers under certain circumstances and requires DEP to establish education campaign on benefits of reducing single-use utensils and condiments.**
Provides for designation and establishment of Public Health Institute in New Jersey.
Provides grant to study and map mental health care resources for children; makes appropriation.
Revises definition of child abuse or neglect to include persons between 18 and 21 years of age in certain settings.
Requires certain State-funded construction projects to utilize plastic construction materials that contain certain amounts of postconsumer recycled content.
Requires public institution of higher education to provide students with information on food assistance programs.
Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts.*
Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees.*
Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment.*
Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs.
Appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition, park development, and planning projects, and for certain administrative expenses.
Establishes new mitigating factor, reduced sentencing, and resentencing for certain defendants who are victims of abuse.
Provides expungement process for certain defendants who are victims of abuse if conviction is substantially related to abuse.
Vetoed · 5
Requires midwives and physicians to provide pregnant women information on birthing options prior to delivery.
Makes certain for-profit debt adjusters eligible for licensing to conduct business in State.
Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract.
Establishes reproductive health travel advisory.
Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU.
Passed the Senate · 7
Extends veteran's gross income tax exemption to spouses of deceased veterans.
Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for family planning and reproductive health care services; prohibits adverse actions by medical malpractice insurers in relation to performance of legally protected health care services.*
Establishes "New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission" to review before-school, after-school, and summer programs.
"Moose's Law"; prohibits persons convicted of animal cruelty offenses from owning animals and from working or volunteering at animal-related enterprises; establishes presumption against pretrial intervention for certain persons.*
Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transportating students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation.*
Codifies Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women for 365-day period beginning on last day of pregnancy.
Expands epinephrine administration mechanisms permitted in schools, institutions of higher education, and youth camps.*
Out of committee · 57
Reforms municipal responsibilities concerning provision of affordable housing; abolishes COAH; appropriates $16 million.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in, and requires divestment from, 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies.
"New Jersey Clean Energy Act of 2024"; establishes 100 percent clean electricity standard and directs BPU to establish clean electricity certificate program. *
Requires BPU to establish beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program and requires electric public utilities to prepare and implement beneficial building electrification and decarbonization plans.*
Requires DOH to operate mobile cancer screening program; appropriates $100,000.*
Updates scope of practice of optometrists.
Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission."
Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research to $10 million; establishes dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund.
Requires DHS to establish three-year Obstetric Discrimination Prevention and Mitigation Pilot Program.*
Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers.*
Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; concerns testing of certain property for lead drinking water hazards.*
Requires hospitals to establish sepsis recognition and treatment protocols.
Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy.
Requires automatic external defibrillators on-site at certain places of public assembly and youth athletic events.*
Removes obstacles to teacher certification for certain teachers; repeals law establishing alternative certificate of eligibility.*
Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities.
Requires children's meals served in chain restaurants to meet certain nutritional standards.*
Establishes certain requirements and initiatives related to nurses; appropriates funds.*
Requires minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding.
Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination.*
Establishes One-Year State Work First New Jersey Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and State Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program; appropriates $2.5 million to DHS.*
Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem a property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity.
Permits certain mental health professionals working in school districts to refer or help facilitate referral of students to professional counselors.*
"Freedom to Read Act"; establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library staff members and librarians.*
Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD.
Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act."
Establishes Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery in DOE.*
"Illicit Opioid Supply Substances Poisoning Awareness Act"; requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of illicit opioid substances.*
Mandates access to periodic cancer screening examinations for professional firefighters not enrolled in SHBP, but who are eligible for SHBP by virtue of public employment.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing.*
Requires eligible children from birth to five to receive early intervention services.
Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students.
Creates "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" to strengthen access to reproductive health care.
Requires affirmative written consent for certain entities to disclose individual's medical information regarding reproductive health care services, with limited exceptions, unless disclosure is necessary to provide those services.
Requires four-year public institution of higher education to develop and implement reproductive health services plan; requires county college to develop referral network for reproductive health care services.
Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support reproductive health care services.
"Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act"; imposes liability on certain fossil fuel companies for funds needed for climate change adaptation projects; establishes program in DEP to collect and distribute funds.*
Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for the treatment of stuttering.
Requires health care professionals to perform lead screening on pregnant persons under certain circumstances.
Requires county clerks to send applications for mail-in ballots to registered voters upon their 18th birthday.
Requires ingredients of menstrual products to be listed on package.
Permits person with certain brain injuries to voluntarily make notation on driver's license, identification card, and in MVC registry; establishes program to train law enforcement officers in interactions with persons with certain brain injuries.
Revises law requiring certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline.
Establishes crime of possessing digital instructions to illegally manufacture firearms and firearm components.
Establishes crime of reckless discharge of firearm.
Establishes penalties for appraisers who engage in discriminatory real estate appraisals and requires certain information to be provided to present and prospective owners or occupants of real estate.
Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories.*
Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation.*
Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for screening, prevention, and treatment services of behavioral health issues affecting children.
Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments.
Creates Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission, Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency, and hospital price transparency regulations.*
Permits individuals to establish voluntary nonopioid directives.
Requires Division of Gaming Enforcement to arrange study and implement certain language requirements in gambling advertisements; restricts advertisements and promotion in certain locations.
Authorizes local governments to provide voluntary contributions to certain nonprofit veterans' organizations.
Bans carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, flame resistant chemicals, and volatile organic compounds from certain hair products.
Expands responsibilities of Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board and establishes Problematic Sexual Behavior Program.*
Provides for State agency reviews and increases of income thresholds for residential customers to participate in certain utility bill payment assistance and energy efficiency programs.
In committee · 100
Prohibits State Board of Education from limiting number of certain two-year college credits that may be applied towards meeting teacher certification requirements.
Permits application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained after January 2003 while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.
Eliminates past conviction of indictable offense as disqualifier for jury service.
Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to develop guidelines for tiered group home placements and transfers.
Requires DOH to establish levels of maternity care at maternity care facilities.
Requires insurers and SHBP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for ovarian cancer.
Requires NJT to equip trains with defibrillators.
Requires local recreation departments and youth serving organizations to have defibrillators for youth athletic events.
Requires health insurance coverage of prenatal genetic test during first trimester of pregnancy.
Requires boards of education, municipalities, counties, and certain other local contracting units to determine and utilize cost-saving practices when procuring goods and services.
Authorizes use of school bus monitoring systems.
Establishes crime of law enforcement officer choking another person; designated as George Floyd's Law.
Establishes guidelines for creditworthiness determinations concerning affordable housing programs.
Requires Medicaid cover emergency contraception without requiring prescription or other authorization.
Authorizes creation of local civilian review boards to review police operations and conduct; appropriates $600,000.
Provides child tax credit for taxpayers with children ages six to 11 and increases amount of credit for taxpayers with children under 12 over period of two years.
Establishes MOM Project oral health three-year pilot program in DOH; appropriates $4,150,000.
Requires certain doctors and nurses to ask patients questions regarding menstrual cycles, previous tampon use, and toxic shock syndrome.
Requires nursing homes to provide training to staff in behavioral health issues.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses.
Requires certain public schools that receive State aid to begin regular instruction for high school students no earlier than 8:30 AM.
Appropriates $70 million in federal funds to EDA to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Requires employers to post information concerning veterans' benefits and services.
Expands liability of certain individuals associated with limited liability companies and other commercial entities, when acting as residential landlord.
Requires DOH to encourage health care facilities and licensed health care professionals to develop a "Reach Out and Read Program."
Requires NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council to prepare report regarding suicide prevention instruction in public schools.
Establishes five-year community schools pilot program.
Establishes a Women's Menstrual Health Screening Program and requirements to screen appropriate patients for endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Establishes "Student Mental Health Task Force."
Regulates residential mental health treatment facilities.
Requires State reimbursement to municipalities of cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption.
Establishes "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act."
Prohibits harassing or taking of certain wildlife at competitive event; establishes penalties.
Requires local boards of education to employ certain number of staff with expertise in student mental health.
Requires Medicaid coverage for remote stress tests for pregnant women.
Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey."
Requires MVC to provide customers with certain documents in-person, same day.
Makes use of front registration plate optional for certain vehicles.
Expands requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screening and requires coverage be provided without cost sharing.
Establishes "New Jersey Reparations Task Force."
Permits 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in elections for local school board.
Establishes "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act."
Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities.
Secures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing legally protected health care activities; establishes right of residents to legally protected health care services, which are restricted in other states.
Establishes Reproductive Health Care Professionals Loan Redemption Program; appropriates $5 million.
Includes Sikhs as protected class in bias intimidation law; appropriates $100,000.
Requires certain high-traffic facilities to obtain permit from DEP and annually implement measures to reduce air pollution caused by facility.
Establishes protections for immigrants interacting with government agencies; designates "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act."
Permits surviving spouse of retired member of PFRS to be enrolled in SHBP and to continue to receive pension benefit after remarriage in certain circumstances.
Requires physicians and certain hospital employees to complete training on communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Requires Commission on Human Trafficking to post public awareness signage in additional establishments.
Requires State agencies to make good faith effort to increase awarding of contracts procured without advertisement to minority- and women-owned businesses.
Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images.
Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage for certain children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older.
Requires access to certain assistive services for students with disabilities at public institutions of higher education.
Establishes New Jersey Low Income Household Water Assistance Program to provide water service and water bill payment assistance to certain low-income households; appropriates $25 million.
Prohibits sale of ammunition by vending machine.
Eliminates statute of limitations for human trafficking prosecutions and extends statute of limitations for civil cases arising from human trafficking.
Provides cancer and cardiovascular screenings to law enforcement officers; establishes fund; appropriates $20 million.
Provides PERS members and certain retirees same benefits provided to members enrolled in retirement system before July 1, 2007.
Provides TPAF members and certain retirees same benefits provided to members enrolled in retirement system before July 1, 2007.
Increases access to substance use disorder treatment; Requires Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services provided by community-based organizations.
Permits veteran's property tax deduction for tax year when veteran was previously qualified to receive deduction and became owner of real property after October 1 of pretax year.
Requires appointment of State Dementia Services Coordinator; appropriates $150,000.
Upgrades offense of prostitution as patron; directs fines collected to "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund."
Directs DOH to establish food bank for pets pilot program; appropriates $1 million.
Establishes the "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act."
Allows certain senior citizens to apply for rent increase limit.
Establishes program in DOE to support school districts in developing grow-your-own programs for hiring of teachers of students with disabilities.
Requires State Police to inform local law enforcement if certain prohibited persons attempt to purchase firearm or ammunition.
Imposes criminal liability on persons who allow minors to access firearms used to commit crimes.
Prohibits targeted advertisements that promote vapor products or use of vapor products to individuals under the age of 21 on social media platforms.
Repeals law that requires funds for legislative agents to be assessed on student tuition bills in certain manner.
"Healthy Smiles Act"; increases NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services; requires NJ FamilyCare managed care rates for identical services be no less than fee-for-service rates.
Requires health insurance coverage of diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without cost-sharing.
Makes human trafficking-related crimes subject to No Early Release Act sentencing.
Requires State Board of Education to require school districts to provide age-appropriate financial literacy instruction to students in grades kindergarten through five.
Prohibits public utilities from assessing surcharges and certain fees.
Requires public utilities de-privatization study; appropriates $100,000.
Prohibits BPU approval of electric or gas public utility rate increase resulting in total increase to average residential customer bill in excess of two percent within five-year period.
Prohibits certain animal adoption centers from denying applicant for adoption of dog or cat solely due to applicant's age.
Prohibits institution of higher education from entering into sports wagering partnership.
Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members.
Requires hospitals to notify family of patient release following drug overdose.
Establishes Animal Cruelty Offender Registry; prohibits purchase, adoption, and breeding of animals by animal cruelty offenders.
Requires age verification to prohibit minors from accessing sexually explicit material online.
Requires electric public utilities and gas public utilities to implement or maintain public utility warranty programs that cover full cost to repair or replace covered appliances.
Requires BPU to prohibit electric and gas public utilities from charging residential customers certain types of payments based on certain billing practices.
Requires electric and gas public utilities de-privatization study; appropriates $100,000.
Resets electric and gas public utility rates to 2020 levels for five-year period.
Prohibits electric generation service and gas supply service rates from exceeding basic generation service and basic gas supply service rates.
Imposes 10 percent electric public utility windfall surtax on taxpayers with allocated taxable net income in excess of $10 million under CBT.
Creates Midwifery Licensing Act; modifies regulation of midwifery.
Requires State agencies that administer utility bill payment assistance or energy efficiency programs to review, and potentially increase, income thresholds for residential customers to participate in programs.
"NJ Healthy Schools Act"; prohibits sale and distribution of ultraprocessed foods in schools participating in federally funded or assisted meal programs.
Imposes 30 percent electric public utility windfall surtax on certain taxpayers with allocated taxable net income in excess of 20 percent above five-year average income under CBT.
Expands "Daniel's Law" to prohibit disclosure of personal information of members of NJ Legislature.
Increases Work First New Jersey Child Care appropriation by $28 million in FY2026 annual appropriations act to ensure full funding of child care subsidy program.