Bills in the 2014–2015 Session, General Assembly.
Gary S. Schaer
Sponsored
Became law3
Exempts Holocaust reparations payments from legal process, and from estate recovery under Medicaid program.
Requires installation of carbon monoxide detectors in certain structures; designated as "Korman and Park's Law."
Modifies and clarifies provisions of certain economic incentive programs.*
Vetoed3
Reforms annual State revenue estimating and reporting, and executive State budget presentation and revenue certification processes.
Expands eligibility of inmates for medical parole and requires inmate's enrollment in Medicaid under certain circumstances.
Requires county and municipal police departments to establish cultural diversity training course and plan.
Passed the General Assembly11
Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and cyber-harassment under certain circumstances.*
Provides for appointment to board of directors of New Jersey Automobile Insurance Risk Exchange by Commissioner of Banking and Insurance.
Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for bond ordinances approved by counties and municipalities.
Requires electric public utilities to provide priority power restoration to certain medical facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.*
Expands definition of "acquisition," for purposes of county and municipal open space trust funds, to include demolition, removal of debris, and restoration of lands being acquired.
Directs Attorney General to establish a criminal firearms recovery clearing house.
Requires local governments and authorities to obtain financing cost estimate from NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust for certain projects; revises bond maturities and sale of bonds by NJ Enviromental Infrastructure Trust.*
"Uncompensated Pending Medicaid Beneficiary Payment Relief Act"; provides compensation relief to nursing facilities when resident's Medicaid eligibility determination is delayed more than 90 days.*
Creates exclusion from municipal property tax levy cap for amounts necessary to provide required matching funds to qualify for grants and other funds.
Requires DCA to make information on homeless prevention programs and services available on its Internet website.
"Secure Schools for All Children Act"; establishes State aid program for security services, equipment, or technology to ensure safe and secure school environment for nonpublic school students.
Out of committee20
Requires DOH to establish "New Jersey Autism Website."
Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for recipients of Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income who are veterans or spouses of veterans and provides for annual cost-of-living increase in allowance.
Regulates individuals engaged in the facilitation of like-kind exchanges of property pursuant to Section 1031 of the United States Tax Code.
Requires certification of diligent inquiry in residential mortgage foreclosure actions to be filed by attorneys.
Requires Office of Auditing in DHS to review books and receipts of provider of services to persons with mental illness or developmental disabilities before licensing.
Authorizes counties to establish mosquito control reserve fund.
Requires health insurance carriers to encrypt certain information.
Adds to property tax levy cap exclusions increases in flood insurance premiums.
Appropriates $34,133,290,000 in State funds and $15,013,691,000 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2014-2015.
Adjusts the FY2014 budget by making supplemental appropriations totaling $33,348,000 and modifying language provisions.
Requires Medicaid managed care organizations to meet certain conditions prior to reducing reimbursement rates for personal care assistant services and home-based supportive care services.
Allows certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to qualify for State student financial aid programs.
"Tyler Banuls' Law"; provides protections for children with developmental disabilities receiving services from DCF.
Establishes a joint legislative and executive branch New Jersey Revenue Advisory Board to provide consensus revenue forecasting advice for State budget purposes.
Establishes "breakfast after the bell" incentive fund.
Establishes temporary mortgage relief programs for certain owners of real property impacted by "Superstorm Sandy."*
Requires development and maintenance of data dashboard report to advise of open bed availability in residential facilities providing behavioral health services.
Appropriates $35,347,174,000 in State funds and $17,323,048,000 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2015-2016.
Makes fiscal year 2015 State supplemental appropriations, reduces State appropriations and amends language provisions.
"Certificates of Insurance Act;" governs use of certificates of insurance; provides DOBI with enforcement authority.
In committee64
Increases membership of PFRS board of trustees from 11 to 13 members.
Requires certain arbitrators to file financial disclosure statements.
Limits amount of contribution to legal defense fund of holder of elective public office and requires reporting thereof to ELEC.
Requires practitioners to disclose business relationship with out-of-State facilities when making patient referrals to those facilities.
Increases and clarifies permissible categories of fees chargeable by residential mortgage lenders and brokers.
Prohibits stranger-originated life insurance contracts.
The "Health Care Provider Network Transparency Act"; establishes requirements for granting access to certain health care provider discounts.
"Life Settlements Act"; regulates life settlement contracts and prohibits stranger-originated life insurance contracts; repeals "Viatical Settlements Act."
Makes supplemental appropriation of $7,000,000 to DOE to reinstate nonpublic technology initiative aid.
Requires contribution for health care benefits provided for certain local elected and appointed officials.
Establishes that only non-violent offenders should have their cases reviewed by the parole board every three years.
Limits amount of appeal bond in civil actions to $50 million.
Establishes waiver, rebate or payment of insured's deductible, copayment, or coinsurance by health care practitioner as a form of insurance fraud subject to criminal and civil penalties.
Transfers Bureau of Securities to Department of Banking and Insurance.
Makes permanent certain temporary authorizations that expanded permitted investment by Director of Division of Investment of State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund and State pension funds.
Extends deadline for filing nominating petitions each year new legislative districts are established by Apportionment Commission.
Requires State to provide recipients of State tax refunds, unemployment insurance benefits and State employee compensation certain payment options.
Requires child's religion not be changed due to foster care or adoption.
Eliminates 15% fee charged by cemetery company on transfer of graves, crypts and niches.
Requires adoption agency, court, or DYFS to maintain child's religious upbringing when placing child in adoptive or resource family home.
Increases reimbursement rate for providers of adult medical day care services.
Appropriates $3.963 million from General Fund to DOE for nonpublic nursing services aid.
"Healthcare Disclosure and Transparency Act."
Allows certain fuel dealers and distributors refunds of petroleum products gross receipts tax and credits against motor fuel tax for certain bad debts from sale of fuel.
"Certificates of Insurance Act."
Establishes procedures for determining enforceability of standard form contracts; invalidates certain indemnification clauses.
"Protection for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Institutional and Community Settings Act."
Permits conversion of life insurance policies to pay for Medicaid long-term care.
Modifies certain requirements imposed on check casher licensees.
Requires that definition of occurrence in certain property damage liability insurance policies include coverage for faulty workmanship.
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from imposing surcharges on consumer credit card purchases.
Requires insurers writing homeowners insurance policies in the State to offer certain coverage for heating oil tanks.
Concerns victim's right to rape care advocate under certain circumstances.
Allows health maintenance organizations to include charity care assessments for purposes of meeting certain loss ratio requirements.
Permits counties to share county tax administrators.
Imposes requirements on certain pediatric emergency departments; requires DOH to include information on pediatric emergency departments in its annual hospital performance report.
Establishes Center for the Study of Health Care Billing Data.
Allows persons affected by certain plant closings, transfers and mass layoffs to receive one year suspension of payment of interest on mortgage loan.
Reinstates transportation planning district for Meadowlands District.
Eliminates language in FY 2015 appropriation act that restricts participation of certain institutions in the Tuition Aid Grant program.
Makes FY 2015 supplemental appropriation to DHS for $5 million for substance abuse prevention, and requires substance abuse prevention programs to be evidence-based.
Regulates deed procurement services.
Requires health care provider participating in carrier network to give notice to covered person of provider's referral to out-of-network provider.
Permits service of parking tickets by mail.
Makes changes to procedures used by medical examiners for autopsies or dissections performed over religious objections.
Amends and repeals sections of "Respiratory Care Practitioner Licensing Act."
Limits payments under health benefits plans to in-network amounts in certain circumstances; prohibits out-of-network health providers from charging carriers more than 150 percent of Medicare rate in certain circumstances.
Creates Clinical Trials Working Group.
Increases the amount of the New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit for certain taxpayers.
Establishes uniform timelines for charter schools to accept applications, conduct lottery, and notify parents of students' acceptance.
Permits charter school to limit admission to single gender, students at-risk of academic failure, students with disabilities, or English language learners.
Requires Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly to develop informational posters describing phone-based complaint procedure, to be conspicuously displayed in certain facilities.
Requires DOH to provide information about crib safety on its Internet website.
Permits up to 10 children to be cared for by a registered family day care provider.
Establishes New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and Business Partnerships.
Modifies process for renewals and revocations of charters under which charter schools operate.
Establishes pilot program for incentive-based value payment system for long-term care provided by home health agencies.
Establishes Office of Student Loan Ombudsman; regulates student loan servicers.
Requires carriers to classify medically necessary procedures as covered benefits and remit certain payments to hospitals for services rendered.
Prohibits employers from seeking or releasing salary history of certain employees.
Establishes pilot program for incentive-based value payment system for nursing homes.
Prioritizes investment of State administered pension funds in in-state infrastructure project investments over comparable out-of-state infrastructure project investments.
Authorizes seizure and impoundment of a dog believed to have attacked, severely injured, or killed another domestic animal.
Establishes "Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program."
Filed1
Reinserts in FY 2015 Appropriations Act language that was omitted due to a technical problem.
Carried from the Senate
Became law9
Requires health insurance carriers to encrypt certain information.*
Adjusts the FY2014 budget by making supplemental appropriations totaling $33,348,000 and modifying language provisions.
Appropriates $32,537,765,000 in State funds and $15,013,691,000 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2014-2015.*
Appropriates $33,785,208,000 in State funds and $17,323,048,000 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2015-2016. *
Authorizes counties to establish mosquito control reserve fund.
Reinserts in FY 2015 Appropriations Act language that was omitted due to a technical problem.
Requires Medicaid managed care organizations to meet certain conditions prior to reducing reimbursement rates for personal care assistant services and home-based supportive care services.
Makes fiscal year 2015 State supplemental appropriations, reduces State appropriations and amends language provisions.
"Certificates of Insurance Act;" governs use of certificates of insurance; provides DOBI with enforcement authority.
Vetoed2
Adds to property tax levy cap exclusions increases in flood insurance premiums.
Provides three-year protection against foreclosure to owners of real property damaged during "Superstorm Sandy," which made landfall on October 29, 2012.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 20
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging, and requires companies offering text messaging services to allow customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages.
Requires a board of education to consult with appropriate nonpublic school representatives prior to any change in the provision of nursing services.
Requires training program for school bus drivers and school bus aides on interacting with students with special needs, and requires development and use of student information cards.*
Provides for licensure of dementia care homes by DOH.
Clarifies that electronic funds transfers are included within the scope of the statute concerning issuing or passing bad checks.
Clarifies that electronic funds transfers are included within the scope of the civil statute concerning issuing bad checks.
Prohibits notaries public from falsely representing themselves as attorneys in advertisments.
Allows for waiver of school bus requirements for mobility assistance vehicle technicians who transport students with medical needs to and from school.
Exempts certain persons from licensing requirements of the "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act."
Grants immunity from liability for certain professional services rendered during emergencies under certain circumstances.
"Military Dependents Scholarship Fund Act"; provides college scholarships to the spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.
Requires State Employment and Training Commission to prepare annual report on State workforce.
Permits transmittal of certain land use documents via email.
Allows charitable assets set aside from the sale of a nonprofit hospital to a for-profit entity to be allocated to a successor nonprofit hospital acquiring the for-profit hospital.
Amends definition of "Class II renewable energy."
Permits municipality to enact ordinance allowing voluntary registration of private outdoor video surveillance cameras.*
Requires BPU to provide links to pricing information to customers from electric and gas public utilities, and third-party electric power and gas suppliers.*
"Hackensack Meadowlands Agency Consolidation Act"; "Hackensack Meadowlands Transportation Planning District Act of 2014"; "New Jersey Meadowlands Tax Relief Act."
Increases required public notice from 30 days to 60 days for settlements entered into by DEP pursuant to Spill Compensation and Control Act.
Requires certain notifications for termination of services to persons with developmental disabilities and providers.
Vetoed · 12
Enhances the reporting and disclosure requirements concerning State tax expenditures and limits the duration of new State tax expenditure enactments.
Permits small businesses to qualify for loans from NJEDA for costs of energy audit and making energy efficiency or conservation improvements.
Establishes New Jersey Council on Responsible Fatherhood and Responsible Fatherhood Fund.
Requires release of bid list prior to bid date under "Local Public Contracts Law."
Requires an annual State debt affordability analysis be included in the State Debt Report.
Requires Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to review construction work on public utilities.*
Reduces maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds; exempts firearms with .22 caliber tubular magazines from 10 round limitation. *
Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families; qualifies families to receive additional nutritional assistance.
Dedicates 30 percent of all UEZ sales tax revenues to respective UEZ account and 70 percent of UEZ sales tax revenues to General Fund.
Requires BPU to render decision on case within 12 months of final public hearing or hold another public hearing prior to deciding case.
Makes FY 2016 supplemental appropriations of $6,500,000 and adds language provision.
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Passed the General Assembly · 15
Establishes task force to study issues related to the establishment of full-day kindergarten.
Requires mail-in ballot applications be available at polling places on election day for voting in future elections; requires establishment of Intrnet webpages to provide instructions for completing mail-in ballot applications.*
Requires ATM operators to disclose balance inquiry fees.
The "Real Estate Installment Contract Act."
Clarifies scope of corporate by-laws; provides that by-laws may include forum selection clause.
Requires Attorney General to establish Statewide gun buyback program.
Increases personal needs allowance to at least $50 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities.
Requires Governor's annual budget message to include description and fiscal analyses of recommendations to raise State revenue estimated at $1 million or more.
Prohibits award of State contracts and development subsidies to inverted domestic corporations.*
"Disaster Victims Protection Act"; requires Governor to allocate federal and State disaster aid to municipalities in proportion to amount of catastrophic physical damage sustained within each municipality.
"Atlantic City Urban Enterprise Zone and Property Tax Relief Act"; creates urban enterprise zone in Atlantic City for 10 years.
Provides for receipts for applications for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Requires DHS to ensure that expedited benefits under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are made available to certain households.
Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by licensed health care professionals before return to school; requires school districts to provide restrictions or limitations to student as needed.*
Concerns enterprise zone assistance fund project approval; dedicates certain revenues to UEZs or UEZ municipalities.
Out of committee · 31
"Garden State Manufacturing Jobs Act."
Modifies certain fees charged by, and requirements imposed on, check casher licensees.
"Health Care Consumer Cost Transparency Act" *
Provides protections for individuals with developmental disabilities through accountability and transparency; designated as "Stephen Komninos' Law."
Establishes innovation zone program to stimulate technology industry clusters around New Jersey's research institutions; allows certain technology businesses located in certain innovation zones to receive certain tax credits under Grow New Jersey Assistan
Provides gross income tax credit for certain contributions to New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST) program.*
Provides gross income tax credit for certain expenses paid or incurred for care and support of qualifying senior family member; designated as Caregiver's Assistance Act.
Requires audits of managed care plan provider networks.
Requires county elections board give notice by Internet posting or mail when polling place location changes unexpectedly before election; requires board develop plan for polling place change notification.**
Permits voter registration of certain persons at age 17 for voting at next election occurring on or after 18th birthday.
Expands definition and licensure requirements for health care service firms.
Establishes "College Affordability Study Commission" to examine issues and develop recommendations to increase the affordability of higher education in New Jersey.
Removes statutory requirement that health officers and registered environmental health specialists employed by municipalities receive maximum salary within their range within five years from date of appointment.
Expands school breakfast program to all schools with 5% or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Requires each State agency to review permits issued by agency and make necessary changes to expedite and facilitate permitting.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support autism programs.
Provides for withholding of State payments to vendors for delinquent unemployment and disability taxes and charging administrative fees to the vendors.*
Appropriates $22,463,000 in 2003 bond act monies for loans to fund dam restoration projects.*
Requires nursing homes to obtain form designating beneficiary of personal needs allowance accounts from incoming and current residents.
Requires that information about legal rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords in rental dwelling units be kept up to date in both English and Spanish.
Requires PANYNJ be subject to NY Freedom of Information Law and NJ open public records act.
Increases transparency and accountability at PANYNJ.
Provides State Investment Council must report private money managers' fee information and that council's regulations addressing political contributions will apply to federal or national committees and non-State political committees.
Increases reporting requirements for the NJ Basic Skills Training Program for Economic Growth.
Amends Fiscal Year 2015 budget to provide one-half of certain environmental damage amounts recovered are appropriated for costs of remediation, restoration, and clean up.
Requires Secretary of Higher Education to adopt new comprehensive master plan within six months and every seven years thereafter.
Establishes Behavioral Mental Health Advisory Board in Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in DHS.
Establishes the "New Jersey Safe and Responsible Driver Act."*
Provides for jurisdiction for prosecution for certain crimes against minors committed outside New Jersey.
"Out-of-network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act." *
Allows businesses due to receive grant under Business Employment Incentive Program to receive tax credit instead of grant.
In committee · 56
Revises definition of "necessary care" in the State's animal cruelty law to include more specific requirements.
Permits State Lottery Commission to authorize video lottery terminals at Meadowlands horse racetrack, subject to voter approval.
Permits State Lottery Commission to authorize video lottery terminals at Meadowlands racetrack, upon voter approval; dedicates 1/3 net proceeds to General Fund, 1/3 to State education aid, and 1/3 to horse racing industry.
Requires certain entities to be equipped with generators and allows those entities to qualify for NJEDA loans for cost of generators.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution.
Requires the adoption of nepotism policies by school districts and charter schools.
"New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act"; requires each four-year public institution of higher education to provide on its website certain information regarding its costs, faculty, and graduation rates.
Authorizes award of attorney's fees and expenses in landlord-tenant actions under certain circumstances.
Revises exemption from "unemployment compensation law" for operators of certain motor vehicles.
Authorizes creation of urban enterprise zones in Garfield, Harrison, Keansburg, and two joint urban enterprise zones, one in Cliffside Park and Fairview, and one in Buena Vista Township and Buena Borough.
"PANYNJ Transparency and Accountability Act."
Requires at least one State developmental center in each region of State; requires certain factors to be considered for transfer of residents between developmental centers.
Requires that police obtain warrant to seize cell phone data.
Requires that police obtain warrant to attach GPS device to suspect's motor vehicle.
Permits counties and municipalities to use snow removal reserve funds for clearance of debris following declaration of emergency by President or Governor.
"Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act;" defines domicile for dependent students for the purpose of eligibility for State student loans, grants, or scholarships and resident tuition rate.
Prohibits notaries public from falsely representing themselves as attorneys in advertisements.
Provides that settlement agents are not responsible for transmitting estimated gross income tax payment and forms for certain nonresident real estate transactions unless so responsible pursuant to contract.
Provides for conscientious exemption to mandatory immunizations.
Prohibits possession of ammunition capable of penetrating body armor.
Provides enhanced penalties for certain crimes when victim is 65 years of age or older, or disabled.
Requires the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners maintain minutes of meetings; provides Governor veto over minutes.
Criminalizes purchase or possession of firearms ammunition by persons convicted of certain crimes.
Establishes "Rutgers, The State University Study Commission."
Permits temporary casino gaming at Meadowlands Complex for 2014 Hambletonian Race.
Permits developer to qualify for low-interest loan from NJEDA when building a high performance green building.
Requires background check for private gun sales.
Revises the period of time required for a State college faculty member to receive tenure.
Creates grant program for newly established small businesses engaged in life sciences.
Requires members of governing boards of public institutions of higher education to complete a training program developed by the Commission on Higher Education.
Concerns access to certain job training courses for employees affected by plant closings, mass layoffs or transfer of operations.
Decreases the premium receipts tax for surplus lines insurance coverage.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to entities contributing to scholarships for low-income children; appropriates $1,500,000 to Treasury.
Regulates physician profiling programs used by managed care networks.
Clarifies law regarding local public contract specifications and leases of public land for agricultural or horticultural use.
Provides for withholding of State payments to vendors for delinquent unemployment and disability taxes.
Establishes approval process for proposed offshore wind energy projects and certain benefits to facilitate development of offshore wind energy.
Eliminates restriction on placement of special education students in sectarian schools.
Increases amount of notice driver must receive for license suspension in certain cases and permits driver to provide proof of electronic payment for certain fines and penalties.
Revises exemption from "unemployment compensation law" for operators of certain motor vehicles.
Dedicates $140,000 of revenue from motor vehicle violations to DHS for brain injury services.
Automatically registers or updates voter registration as part of driver's license application or renewal.
Revises procedure for transferring motor vehicles under certain circumstances.
Requires institutions of higher education to provide greater assistance to certain students with military obligations.
Expands eligibility for veterans civil service preference.
Requires DOH to adopt rules and regulations to facilitate nursing home compliance with statutory mattress replacement requirements, and to regularly report on its implementation and enforcement efforts.
Limits authority of court to order one or both parents to pay post-high school education expenses on behalf of a child if both parents agree that they will not pay such expenses.
Establishes Division of Minority and Women Business Development and State Chief Disparity Officer to monitor efforts to promote participation by minority-owned and women-owned businesses in State contracting.
Permits appointment of certain lawful permanent residents to county and municipal forces and State Police.
"Holocaust Reparations Tax Exemption Act"; exempts value of certain payments to Holocaust survivors and their eligible descendants from transfer inheritance and estate taxes.
Provides protections for individuals with developmental disabilities through accountability and transparency; upgrades crimes against individuals with developmental disabilities.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in companies that boycott Israel or Israeli businesses.
Repeals law suspending certain licenses, registrations and certifications for failure to repay student loans.
Permits holding companies of eligible New Jersey emerging technology companies to receive investments under "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act."
Requires DHS to re-evaluate closures and consider reopening developmental center in Northern NJ.