Bills in the 2020–2021 Session, Senate.
Brian P. Stack
Sponsored
Became law3
Permits qualified municipalities to prohibit conversion of affordable residential rental units to certain forms of ownership housing.
Establishes minimum direct care staff-to-resident ratios in nursing homes.*
Provides financial relief to certain landlords and tenants in response to COVID-19 pandemic, adjusts certain court fees; and makes appropriations. *
Vetoed1
Establishes "2020 New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program"; appropriates $100 million.
Passed the Senate4
Allows assistance animals in rental housing units; expands protection under "Law against Discrimination." *
Prohibits eviction as remedy for nonpayment of rent due during time surrounding COVID-19 pandemic in certain circumstances.*
Requires owners of multiple dwellings of three or more floors to provide priority status to residents moving to lower floors.
Expands definition of landlords required to provide receipt for rent cash payment made by tenant.
Out of committee10
Provides for spaying and neutering stray or feral cats and establishes fund therefor; designated as "Compassion for Community Cats Law."
Requires owner notification of rabies testing protocol prior to testing of owner's animal for rabies.*
The "Liberty State Park Protection Act"; establishes Liberty State Park Advisory Committee and requirements concerning DEP actions related to Liberty State Park.
Establishes "Tiny Home Pilot Program" in three regions of State.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $100,000 to DCA for disbursement to Jersey City to examine mass transit and green space needs at Bergen Arches.
Establishes assistance program to assist landlord of one- and two-family dwellings during COVID-19 pandemic; appropriates $50 million.
Requires reservation of portion of tenant-based vouchers under State rental assistance program for persons displaced due to redevelopment of an affordable housing development; provides displaced persons with affordable housing priority status.
Addresses certain landlord expenses in response to COVID-19 pandemic; appropriates $350 million.*
Requires Homelessness Prevention Program agencies to remain open during public health emergency and mandates funding of additional agencies in certain counties.
Concerns information on property condition disclosure statement.
In committee40
Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbit by pet shops; prohibits certain transactions between animal shelters, pounds, animal rescue organizations, and animal breeders or brokers; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act."
Requires mail-in ballot application to include prepaid postage.
Requires utility service providers to notify BPU of scheduled service work; permits government agencies and utility service providers to access BPU online database of scheduled service work.
Requires public utilities to file certain information with BPU and BPU to make information available on its Internet website.
Establishes fire safety standards and protocols for certain light frame residential construction; requires placards identifying primary structural systems of buildings.
Concerns procedures with respect to repair of certain public utility facilities and related street repaving.
Provides for temporary gross income tax credit for certain monthly ferry service commuting passes.
Requires certain residential buildings to have fire barriers in common attic areas.
Permits certain local units and authorities, to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons.
Requires DEP to establish and maintain searchable database of lead service lines.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $15,100,000 from General Fund to DOE to increase per pupil funding for nonpublic security aid from $150 to $250.
Makes FY2020 supplemental appropriation of $75 million to EDA for Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program.
Makes FY 2020 supplemental appropriation of $75 million to EDA for Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program.
Establishes minimum certified nurse aide-to-resident ratios in nursing homes.
Establishes communication and notification requirements for long-term care facilities.
Requires pet shops to install and operate surveillance cameras inside and outside business and retain footage for at least 60 days.
Requires licensing of pet groomers and registration of certain other businesses; establishes certain licensing and operating requirements.
Limits height of new construction in area below cliffs east of Palisade Avenue.
Authorizes early termination of residential leases by certain tenants economically impacted during time of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day as public holiday.
Makes publishing on Internet home address or unpublished telephone number of judges, prosecutors and certain court personnel a crime of the fourth degree under certain circumstances.
Allows voters to vote in any political party primary by changing party affiliation at polling place on primary election day; allows mail-in to complete any political primary ballot.
Revises "Homelessness Prevention Program"; appropriates $300 million.
"Palisades Cliffs Protection Act," limits height of new construction in area below cliffs east of Palisades.
Extends suspension of pension loan repayments for certain qualified public employees until one year after end of COVID-19 public health emergency.
Prohibits non-emergency evictions Statewide during COVID-19 covered period.
Requires rail passenger service to provide purchasers with proof of payment at time of purchase.
Increases certain penalties for leaving scene of motor vehicle accident resulting in death or injury.
Makes Fiscal Year 2021 supplemental appropriation of $1,500,000 to BPU for certain broadband telecommunications service subscriber assistance.
Concerns eviction and homelessness prevention; provides financial assistance to residential landlords and tenants in response to COVID-19 pandemic; and making appropriations.
Prohibits public utilities from discontinuing residential electric, gas, water, and sewer service after expiration of coronavirus public health emergency; requires those utilities to implement deferred payment agreements for those services.
Requires NJT to station police office at each light rail station during of scheduled service.
Requires federal funding to be made available to Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse to support Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse if needed to offset unanticipated decrease in dedicated revenues.
"Palisades Cliffs Protection and Planning Act"; concerns preservation of Palisades Cliffs and creates Palisades Cliffs Preservation Council.
Authorizes issuance of Operation Desert Storm license plates.
Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.
Permits United States Postal Service to participate in State TDI program.
Establishes discounted toll rate programs for senior citizens on NJTA and SJTA toll roads.
Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for hospitalizations resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 without imposing cost-sharing 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.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law2
Requires owner notification of rabies testing protocol prior to testing of owner's animal for rabies.**
Concerns information on property condition disclosure statement.
Vetoed1
Requires reservation of portion of tenant-based vouchers under State rental assistance program for persons displaced due to redevelopment of an affodable housing development; provides displaced persons with affordable housing priority status.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 7
Designates, as State and public holiday, third Friday in June as Juneteenth Day.*
Requires residential landlords to equip steam radiators with protective covers.
"Dominick Marino PFRS Enhanced Benefits for Surviving Spouses Act"; enhances PFRS accidental death benefit for surviving spouse who becomes eligible after effective date by providing for minimum of $50,000 annually.*
Extends veterans' property tax exemption to tenant shareholders in cooperatives and mutual housing corporations.
"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.
Codifies same-sex marriage in the statutes.
Vetoed · 1
Requires assignment of unemployment claims handlers to legislative districts during COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; appropriates $1.8 million.
Passed the Senate · 10
Creates New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission.
Establishes standards for expiration of rental housing affordability controls.
Revises definition of "landlord" to include rooming and boarding house owners and operators with regard to ordinances holding landlords to certain standards of responsibility.
Requires business owners and rental unit owners to maintain certain liability insurance policies.
Consolidates certain affordable housing and assistance applications.
Makes FY 2021 supplemental appropriation of $180 million to DCF, DHS and DOH for increased rates for social service and early intervention providers in financial distress due to coronavirus disease 2019 public health crisis.*
Provides CBT tax credit for certain deliveries of low carbon concrete and for costs of conducting environmental product declaration analyses of low carbon concrete.*
Concerns employment security during changes in control of health care entities. *
Revises law prohibiting cruel tethering and confinement of dogs; establishes procedures for seizure, care, and forfeiture of animals involved in animal cruelty violations.
Requires DEP to develop and implement electric school bus program; provides for $15 million in first year and $15 million annually in subsequent two years to DEP, subject to availability, to provide grants.*
Out of committee · 21
Requires availability of early voting for certain elections; makes appropriation.
Makes total property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to effective date of determination of total disability; requires State to reimburse municipalities for reimbursement of property taxes paid to veteran.
Directs the development and posting of notices containing information for victims of human trafficking.
Requires State and county correctional facilities to offer inmates hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing.
Requires limited liability company to disclose ownership information when submitting deed for recording.
Authorizes municipality to deliver property tax bills, construction permits, and receipts for payment via e-mail.
Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability. *
Authorizes grants to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes for homeless veterans.
Provides county clerks with additional week to mail ballots for 2020 primary election; requires ballot position draw to occur one day early if statutory date falls on holiday.*
Establishes fire safety standards and protocols for certain light frame residential construction; requires project labor agreements for this construction; requires placards identifying primary structural systems of buildings.
Requires hospital to permit individual to accompany woman during childbirth.
Extends ballot receipt and election certification deadlines; increases certain messenger and bearer ballot limits; requires certain information to increase public awareness and use of voting by mail.*
Expands offenses eligible for expungement upon successful discharge from drug court.
Reduces age at which health benefit plans cover colorectal cancer screenings from 50 to 45.
Requires electric public utility to charge residential rate for service used by residential customer for electric vehicle charging at charging stations within certain designated parking spaces.
Establishes confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records.
Establishes criminal offenses and civil penalties concerning inhumane confinement of breeding pigs and calves raised for veal.
Requires DHS to establish payment programs for purchase of transportation services from private sector and government transportation service providers. *
Removes restrictions on special assessments and bond issuances for replacement of residential lead service lines; revises budgetary requirements for operators of certain water systems.*
Allows certain voters residing overseas to vote in certain elections in this State depending on overseas residency or intent to return. *
Allows law enforcement officers to review body worn camera recordings prior to creating initial report.
In committee · 44
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Requires new voting machines purchased or leased for use in elections in this State to produce paper record of each vote cast.
"Immigrant Tenant Protection Act."
"Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act."
Limits patient information behavioral health care providers may disclose to health insurance carriers.
Establishes "Government Functions and Services Study Commission."
Establishes "New Jersey Reparations Task Force."
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in, and requires divestment from, 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies.
Requires certain health care plans to be offered by SEHBP and local boards of education; requires SEHBP commission to establish employee contribution rates for certain plans; requires local boards of education provide certain information on health care be
Concerns local taxation of business personal property of local exchange telephone companies.
Excludes corrugated containers sold by the manufacturer from definition of "litter-generating product"; exempts such sales from user fee imposed under "Clean Communities Program Act."
"Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances.
Dedicates 30 percent of all UEZ sales tax revenues to respective UEZ account and 70 percent of UEZ sales tax revenues to General Fund.
Reduces helicopter operations at certain aviation facilities licensed by State.
Prohibits tourist helicopter operations in New Jersey.
Revises requirements for emergency medical services delivery.
Makes child support arrearages collectable anytime by public welfare or other social services board or agency against obligor or obligor's estate based on amount of public assistance provided due to obligor's failure to pay support.
Codifies and enhances use of breach of implied warranty of habitability as defense to certain eviction actions.
Establishes confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records; addresses adverse actions on rental applications.
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.
Requires water purveyors to conduct water loss audits.
Regulates installation, maintenance, and repair of low-voltage alarm systems and battery-charged fences.
Requires local contracting unit to award local public contract to most responsible bidder.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Reinstates automatic COLA for retirement benefits of members of the State-administered retirement systems.
Extends veterans' property tax exemption to tenant shareholders in cooperatives and mutual housing corporations.
Requires residential landlords to install protective covers on steam radiators.
Directs BPU to develop and implement electric school bus pilot program.
Establishes School Connectivity Grant Program to expand access to online instruction for economically disadvantaged students; makes appropriation.
Permits municipalities to adopt, by resolution, grace period concluding no later than September 1, 2020 for third quarter property tax payments due and payable on August 1, 2020.
Restricts use of restrictive employment covenants for physicians and nurses.
Establishes one-time payment program in Department of Treasury for aid for certain eligible taxpayers; appropriates $35 million.
Requires school districts to allow home-schooled students to participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities in the student's resident district.
Requires access to law enforcement disciplinary records as government records; requires such records to be retained for certain period of time.
Requires each nursing home to employ patient advocate.
Reduces standard voter registration deadline to eight days before election; allows voter registration at polling place on election day and at offices where mail-in ballots are issued within 45 days before election.
Establishes Digital Divide Solutions Grant Program in DOE to assist public schools in purchase of online instruction equipment.
Authorizes creation of local civilian review boards to review police operations and conduct; appropriates $600,000.
"Emergency Tenant and Landlord Assistance Act"; appropriates $300 million.
Provides employer and employee protections pursuant to the use of legalized cannabis items.
Establishes Digital Divide Solutions Grant Program in DOE to assist public schools in purchase of connected devices and Internet access for students during periods of remote instruction.
Provides that certain school districts will receive State school aid in amounts equal to aid provided in 2020-2021 school year.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 billion for After School Recreation in Urban Areas.
Requires certain entities to remove abandoned lines from poles and other structures to which abandoned or out-of-service lines are attached.
Filed · 22
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.
Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for testing of coronavirus disease 2019 and for telemedicine and telehealth during coronavirus disease 2019 state of emergency.
Authorizes EDA to make grants during periods of emergency declared by Governor and for duration of economic disruptions due to emergency; allows EDA to grant certain business documentation submission deadline extensions.
Authorizes all licensed health care facilities and laboratories to collect specimens to test for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); allows waiver of staffing ratio requirements.
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.
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to issue supplemental cash assistance payments to Work First New Jersey recipients under certain circumstances; makes appropriation.
Establishes certain requirements to use telemedicine and telehealth to respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
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.
Makes FY 2020 supplemental appropriation of $10 million for healthcare and residential facility sanitation due to coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.
Automatically extends time to file gross income tax or corporation business tax return if federal government extends filing or payment due date for federal returns.
Concerns time off from work in connection with infectious disease.
Modifies deadline by which public agency is required to respond to request for government record during period of emergency.
Requires law enforcement to provide written notification to parent or guardian of person under age 18 who commits first offense of unlawfully possessing or consuming alcoholic beverage, cannabis, marijuana or hashish.
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.
Provides exception for Legal Services of New Jersey and other public interest organizations from confidentiality of certain eviction actions.