Bills in the 2016–2017 Session, Senate.
Robert W. Singer
Sponsored
Became law2
Allows filing of birth certificate to be delayed for religious reasons, for up to 15 days after birth, in order to allow for naming of child.
Establishes three-year nonpublic school pupil transportation pilot program in Lakewood School District to provide funding to consortium of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for district's mandated nonpublic school busing.
Passed the Senate2
Requires public and nonpublic school to provide student with more information about NJ STARS Program and improve notification of potenial eligibilty.
Prohibits certain third-party property tax appeals.
Out of committee4
Permits State aid to fund start-up costs for local shared services projects.
Requires Commissioner of Health to take certain actions to ensure that residential units are available in assisted living facilities for individuals with special needs.
Establishes Office of Tourism Research; requires specific measures concerning tourism advertising, marketing, research, and tourism-related business training.
Authorizes reciprocal agreements with other states for academic credit transfer and directs public institutions of higher education to enter into such agreements.
In committee53
Requires that victims of sex offense be informed of offender's risk of re-offense upon release.
Provides loan redemption for certain physicians who work in State 10 years.
Expands the domestic violence statutes to encompass minors aged 16 and older.
Requires Commissioner of DHSS to convene a strategic planning summit to analyze the State's physician workforce supply.
Requires labeling of foods containing genetically modified material.
"Volunteer Medical Professional Health Care Act."
Protects home addresses of law enforcement officers from being released by governmental entities.
Requires prescribers and pharmacists to check prescription monitoring program prior to prescribing and dispensing Schedule II drugs.
Eliminates standard waiting period for issuance of marriage or civil union license.
Upgrades theft to a crime of the first degree if amount involved is $500,000 or more.
Provides for dismissal of certain traffic summonses if repairs are made within 72 hours.
Prohibits administration of standardized assessments not required under State or federal law.
Exempts sales of county property from certain requirements under certain circumstances.
Requires Rutgers University to create a liberal studies program for students with intellectual disabilities; appropriates $500,000.
Raises income threshold for pension and retirement income exclusions under gross income tax for married couples filing jointly.
Raises maximum eligibility age for exempt fireman certificates and membership in New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
Creates the "Mold Safe Housing Act."
Requires DCA to establish procedures for inspection and abatement of mold hazards in residential buildings and school facilities, and certification programs for mold inspectors and mold hazard abatement workers.
Eliminates employment certificate requirement for minors to engage in gainful employment.
Concerns affordable housing credits and funding of community residences for disabled persons.
Requires clinical laboratory that provides services for accountable care organization to establish clinical laboratory testing advisory board.
Changes State assistance to urban enterprise zones over seven years by increasing reduced sales tax in enterprise zones and dedicating increase to zone municipalities.
Establishes technology transfer assistance program in EDA.
Permits EDA to designate institutions of higher education or other qualified entities as manufacturing and production business resource centers.
Requires school districts to provide transportation to public and nonpublic school pupils living along hazardous routes.
Provides that Commissioner of Education rather than school districts will be responsible for implementation of nonpublic textbook and nursing services programs.
Expands number of child care programs exempted from State child care licensing requirements.
Establishes $250 qualified caregiver rebate program.
Upgrades certain types of assault against sports officials to aggravated assault.
Establishes an Autism Charter School Pilot Program.
Restores parity among public utilities with regard to formula used to calculate amount of refund given to developers for extension of public utility infrastructure.
Allows siblings who share and equally co-own a primary residence to claim a joint homestead property tax reimbursement.
Increases monetary thresold for reporting motor vehicle accidents from $500 to $1,500.
Concerns special occasion events on preserved farmland at wineries.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for Meals on Wheels.
Establishes "College Credit Requirement Commission" to examine academic credit requirements for associate and baccalaureate degree programs and academic majors at New Jersey's institutions of higher education.
Requires certain disclosures under motor vehicle lease.
Requires driver education course to include instruction on interacting with law enforcement officer during traffic stop.
Requires security plan for large scale special events.
Establishes "College Credit Requirement Commission" to examine academic credit requirements for associate and baccalaureate degree programs and academic majors at New Jersey's public institutions of higher education.
Establishes one-year property tax levy cap exclusion for bail reform costs.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $2.125 million to Howell Township in Monmouth County for drinking water infrastructure project.
Reauthorizes use of regional contribution agreements.
Requires acceptance of universal dentist application for participation form by dental plan carriers.
Establishes Overdose Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board.
Permits law enforcement to access prescription monitoring information without requirement for court order or subpoena.
"P.I.C.K. Awareness Act"; authorizes issuance of special support recovery license plates.
Designates portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Township of Howell as "State Trooper Marc K. Castellano Memorial Highway."
Requires background checks for home improvement and elevation contractors.
Decriminalizes possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana, imposes civil penalties, and establishes fund for drug education.
Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Allows gross income tax deduction for first $200,000 earned by certain new physicians in their first seven taxable years of practice in New Jersey.
Exempts federal Railroad Retirement Act benefits from income for purposes of calculating eligibility for senior freeze program.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 13
Establishes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in public and nonpublic schools and county colleges.*
Establishes "Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program" in EDA to assist certain small businesses meet State or federal contract surety bond requirements.*
Revises treatment requirements for convicted drug offenders receiving general assistance benefits under Work First New Jersey program.*
Establishes requirements concerning necessary care of dogs, domestic companion animals, and service animals, and for tethering of dogs.*
Requires DOH to establish single license for facilities providing integrated behavioral and physical health care.*
Prohibits investment of pension and annuity funds by State in companies that boycott Israel or Israeli businesses.
Requires Office of Emergency Management to establish county storm preparedness funding program.*
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend additional sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2017.
Amends list of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding for FY 2017 to include new projects and revise allowable loan amounts for already approved projects.
Authorizes NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2018.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2018.
Appropriates $71,700,224 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Appropriates $8,992,898 to DEP from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and various Green Acres funds for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Vetoed · 1
Requires hospital patient's medical record to include notation if patient is at increased risk of confusion, agitation, behavioral problems, and wandering due to dementia related disorder.*
Passed the Senate · 4
Requires State Board of Education high school graduation requirements include instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt; requires high school students to meet with guidance counselor to discuss tuition assistance and dual enrollment
Revises and renames NJSTARS; repeals NJSTARS II; establishes NJ HonorScholars Program.
Provides that no more than 120 credits will be required for baccalaureate degree awarded by a public institution and no more than 60 credits for an associate degree.
Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to establish income-driven repayment option and loan rehabilitation program for borrowers under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program.
Out of committee · 16
Encourages sharing of services; makes appropriations.
Establishes State Transportation Infrastructure Bank and State Energy Bank within New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.*
Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act; Provides income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.
Increases personal needs allowance to at least $50 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities.
Extends veteran's property tax exemption to tenant shareholders in cooperatives and mutual housing corporations.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2017.
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2017.
Extends expiration date of certain permits for one year in Superstorm Sandy-impacted counties.
Requires driver's manual to include driver's and law enforcement officer's responsibilities during police stop and under "move over" law; requires testing on responsibilities during police stop; and authorizes testing on duties under "move over" law. *
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support autism programs.
Establishes "High School to College Readiness Commission" to examine issues and develop recommendations to enhance student preparation for postsecondary education.
Creates "New Jersey Life Sciences Internship Challenge" program.
Establishes tuition reimbursement program for certain advanced practice nurses who provide mental health care services in underserved areas in New Jersey.
"Community Mental Health Safety Net Act"; requires DHS to provide cost-based reimbursement on quarterly basis for certain mental health and substance use disorder treatment services through June 2018; makes appropriation.
Dedicates $140,000 from NJ Brain Injury Research Fund for community based services provided by Statewide alliance dedicated to assisting persons with brain injury through advocacy, education, information and resources, outreach, and support services.
Establishes Montclair State University as public research university.
In committee · 55
Revises law concerning ticket sales.
Repeals the New Jersey estate tax.
Establishes "Atlantic City Growth Tax Credit Program" to grant tax credits to promote the development of non-rental housing in Atlantic City.
Eliminates power of DRPA to finance economic development; changes composition of board; imposes restrictions regarding financing, contract procedures, conflicts of interest, and review audits; creates commuter's council.
Establishes defense against exclusionary zoning litigation seeking builder's remedy.
Refines five-month window established by Supreme Court begins after trial court establishes standards.
Designates Black Swallowtail butterfly as State Butterfly.
"School Children First Act"; establishes factors for determining compensation; requires principal consent for teacher placement; eliminates certain seniority rights.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Eliminates transfer inheritance tax and increases filing threshold and applicable exclusion amounts under New Jersey estate tax in accordance with provisions of federal tax law.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.
Provides governance, transparency, and accountability reforms at PANYNJ.
Establishes requirements for training programs for homemaker-home health aides in care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
Eliminates transfer inheritance taxes on brothers and sisters of a decedent.
Dedicates 30 percent of all UEZ sales tax revenues to respective UEZ account and 70 percent of UEZ sales tax revenues to General Fund.
Phases out estate tax over five-year period.
Extends eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction and veterans' property tax exemption to residents of continuing care retirement communities.
Modifies school funding law to incorporate recommendations of DOE's Education Funding Report and Educational Adequacy Report.
Requires certain commissions to maintain meeting minutes; establishes Governor's authority to approve or veto the minutes of those commissions.
Requires proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain certain benefits.
Restricts use of accumulated sick leave by public employees in year prior to retirement.
Allows application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.
Authorizes institutions of higher education to grant college credit to high school students who complete the Jersey Boys State or Jersey Girls State program.
Requires BPU to issue written decision concerning utility rate increase approvals to public via its website.
Revises requirements related to public hearings on proposed public utility rate increases.
Requires public utilities to provide customers notice of request for increase in rates; revises requirements related to hearings on proposed rate increases.
Requires public utilities to mail customers detailed explanation of rate settlement agreements prior to final BPU vote.
Increases mandatory retirement age for Administrative Law Judges, Workers' Compensation Judges and county prosecutors from 70 to 75.
Requires health care practitioners to inform patients of addiction potential of controlled dangerous substances prior to issuing prescription.
Requires certain health care facilities to provide information concerning palliative care and hospice care services.
Regulates tethering of, and outdoor shelter for, dogs.
Restricts State and municipal government employee health plans to gold level and directs related savings to property tax relief.
Makes various changes to civil service law concerning seasonal appointments, temporary layoffs, and rescinding adoption of civil service.
Requires newly licensed registered professional nurse to attain baccalaureate degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure.
Provides corporation business tax credit for certain investment in manufacturing equipment and manufacturing facility renovation, modernization, and expansion, or hiring and training of new employees for manufacturing purposes.
Exempts senior homeowners from municipal building permit fees.
Establishes the Workforce Shortage Loan Redemption Program.
Concerns time frames for establishing or enforcing property rights related to adverse possession.
Increases distribution to municipalities from Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to restore municipal aid reductions; requires additional aid to be subtracted from municipal property tax levy.
Permits municipalities impacted by Hurricane Sandy to borrow for current expenses through December 31, 2017, and repay special emergency notes over a 10-year period.
Requires school districts to employ a certain number of student assistance coordinators based on district enrollment.
Revises court filing fees, assessments, penalties, fines, and certain licensing fees to fund Pretrial Services Program, e-court information system and Legal Services of New Jersey; repeals certain statutory provisions concerning court fees.
Removes black bear from list of game species.
Reforms procedures concerning provisions of affordable housing; repeals "Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act."
Adds two student representatives to board of governors of Rutgers University.
Establishes primary health care plan with optional riders in SHBP for public employees.
Establishes the New Jersey Film and Television Project and Employment Incentive Program.
Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; designated as "Lisa's Law"; appropriates $2.5 million.
"Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act."
Reinstates death penalty for certain murders.
"Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances.
Concerns annual service charge paid to municipalities that enter into financial agreements under "Long Term Tax Exemption Law," P.L.1991,c.431.
Requires locking medicine cabinets in newly constructed homes.
Directs Department of Treasury to transfer to Department of Environmental Protection as surplus property certain land and improvements thereon in Township of Wall, County of Monmouth.