Bills in the 2018–2019 Session, General Assembly.
Gary S. Schaer
Sponsored
Became law5
Permits conduct of raffles at large sporting venues.
Expands crime of terrorism.
Concerns licensure of persons possessing barbering license in another state or foreign country.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $11,300,000 from General Fund to DOE to increase per pupil funding for nonpublic security aid from $75 to $150.
Makes FY 2020 supplemental appropriation of $1 million for New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program.
Passed the General Assembly6
Authorizes wiretap orders for investigation of luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking and cyber-harassment under certain circumstances.
Requires electric public utilities to provide priority power restoration to certain medical facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.
Establishes a joint legislative and executive branch New Jersey Revenue Advisory Board to provide consensus revenue forecasting advice for State budget purposes.
Requires DCA to make information on homeless prevention programs and services available on its Internet website.
Prohibits the sale of adulterated candy in New Jersey.
Requires public community water systems to provide customers with certain information regarding lead in drinking water. *
Out of committee16
Provides for appointment to board of directors of New Jersey Automobile Insurance Risk Exchange by Commissioner of Banking and Insurance.
Permits counties to share county tax administrators.
Creates Clinical Trials Working Group.
Provides for appointment of Student Loan Ombudsman and regulates student loan servicers.*
Establishes Behavioral Health Services Task Force.
Establishes licensing and permit requirements and provides for adoption of standards and regulations for inspection of asbestos in certain structures.
Concerns expansion of services provided by DHS mental health screening services.*
Concerns Early Intervention Support Services program in DOH and expansion of program to all counties.
Requires institutions of higher education to provide alternative arrangements to students unable to complete certain assignments by regular due date or register for courses because of day of religious observance.
Allows certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to qualify for State student financial aid programs.
Requires boards of education and nonpublic schools to provide law enforcement authorities with copies of blueprints and maps of schools and school grounds.
Requires health curriculum for public school students in grades kindergarten through 12 to include instruction on mental health.*
Establishes Repayment Assistance Program and Household Income Affordable Repayment Plan for borrowers of New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program.
Requires certain furniture retailers to provide notice of furniture tip over risks; requires tip restraint devices be available for purchase.
Concerns licensure of persons rendering barbering services in another state or foreign country.
Makes Fiscal Year 2020 supplemental appropriation of $3,000,000 from General Fund to DOE to support nonpublic nursing services aid.
In committee78
The "Health Care Provider Network Transparency Act"; establishes requirements for granting access to certain health care provider discounts.
Limits amount of appeal bond in civil actions to $50 million.
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.
Requires insurers writing homeowners insurance policies in the State to offer certain coverage for heating oil tanks.
Allows health maintenance organizations to include charity care assessments for purposes of meeting certain loss ratio requirements.
Establishes Center for the Study of Health Care Billing Data.
Adds to property tax levy cap exclusions increases in flood insurance premiums.
Requires health care provider participating in carrier network to give notice to covered person of provider's referral to out-of-network provider.
"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.
Permits service of parking tickets by mail.
Establishes "breakfast after the bell" incentive fund.
Makes changes to procedures used by medical examiners for autopsies or dissections performed over religious objections.
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.
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.
Modifies process for renewals and revocations of charters under which charter schools operate.
Prioritizes investment of State administered pension funds in in-state infrastructure project investments over comparable out-of-state infrastructure project investments.
Establishes "Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program."
Requires that definition of occurrence in certain property damage liability insurance policies include coverage for faulty workmanship.
Concerns victim's right to rape care advocate under certain circumstances.
Permits up to 10 children to be cared for by a registered family day care provider.
Requires adoption agency, court, or DCPP to maintain child's religious upbringing when placing child in adoptive or resource family home.
Imposes requirements on certain pediatric emergency departments; requires DOH to include information on pediatric emergency departments in its annual hospital performance report.
Requires child's religion not be changed due to foster care or adoption.
Requires practitioners to disclose business relationship with out-of-State facilities when making patient referrals to those facilities.
Eliminates 15% fee charged by cemetery company on transfer of graves, crypts and niches.
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from imposing surcharges on consumer credit card purchases.
Requires State to provide recipients of State tax refunds, unemployment insurance benefits and State employee compensation certain payment options.
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.
Requires certain arbitrators to file financial disclosure statements.
Directs public utility to reimburse municipality for police services required for safe completion of public utility project no later than 60 days after municipality submits bill to public utility.
Upgrades certain penalties for criminal street gang recruitment and criminality; imposes mandatory minimum sentence for certain offenses; establishes accomplice liability and imposes restrictions for certain recruiters.
Requires employers within construction industry to notify employees of certain rights.
Requires certification of diligent inquiry in residential mortgage foreclosure actions to be filed by attorneys.
Requires carriers to classify medically necessary procedures as covered benefits and remit certain payments to hospitals for services rendered.
Regulates audits of pharmacies.
Establishes New Jersey Commission on Health Insurance Network Adequacy.
"Healthcare Disclosure and Transparency Act."
Requires businesses to report email address to Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
Concerns application of residential rental property inspection findings in rental assistance determinations and eviction actions.
Increases reimbursement rate for providers of adult medical day care services.
Revises requirements for certification of homemaker-home health aides, including establishing timeframe requirements for issuance of conditional and final certifications.
Requires certain notification prior to mosquito spraying applications.
Establishes pilot program for incentive-based value payment system for home health agencies and health care service firms.
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.
Requires DOH to establish Zika Virus State Action Plan.
Requires DOH to establish standardized requirements for registration of vendors in health care facilities.
Establishes pilot program for incentive-based value payment system for nursing homes.
Requires continuing identification and remediation of waste tire sites.
Requires certain notice to be provided by public utility, county, or municipality prior to initiating certain infrastructure projects.
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.
Establishes program to provide free tuition under State Tuition Aid Grant Program to certain students who are accepted to public four-year institutions of higher education and elect to attend county college for first two years.
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.
Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunity at county college for certain high school students.
Establishes "Succeed in New Jersey" student loan reimbursement program for certain New Jersey residents employed in designated fields.
Establishes procedures for determining enforceability of standard form contracts; invalidates certain indemnification clauses.
Permits installation of GPS navigation devices which do not obstruct motor vehicle operator's vision.
Requires that school counselor preparation programs include credits on college and financial planning and that school districts provide professional development opportunities to school counselors on these topics.
Directs Attorney General to establish a criminal firearms recovery clearing house.
Establishes the "New Jersey Electronic Plan Review System."
"Health Care Industry Representative Certification Act"; establishes requirements for certification of health care industry representatives.
Requires Center for Occupational Employment Information to share labor market information with school districts and public institutions of higher education.
Modifies support limit for nonpublic security aid to equal per pupil appropriation for security aid for public schools.
Revises health care levy adjustment for school districts; makes various changes for health care benefits for school employees; requires certain information in school budgets; imposes cap on contributions by public employees for health care benefits.
Removes restriction on placement of special education students in sectarian schools.
Requires public water systems to develop lead service line inventories and schedules for replacement of lead service lines.
Establishes geriatric parole for certain eligible inmates.
Permits place of worship to establish security plan to select one person to carry handgun during religious services.
Requires certain public venues and places of worship to submit emergency plans to law enforcement agencies for purpose of preparing for mass casualty and active shooter events.
Requires pharmacy benefits manager under contract with SHBP and SEHBP to report price paid to pharmacy and amount charged to SHBP and SEHBP.
Requires pharmacy benefits manager providing services within Medicaid program to disclose certain information to DHS.
Changes date of "Juneteenth Independence Day" in NJ to June 19 of each year.
Changes minimum age for issuance of trapping license from 12 years to 18 years of age.
Revises criteria for medical parole for certain inmates; establishes medical parole for certain eligible juveniles.
Extends county-based real property assessment program to Passaic County.
Requires public water systems to develop lead service line inventories and replace lead service lines.
Prohibits stranger-originated life insurance.
Carried from the Senate
Became law7
Allows certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to qualify for State student financial aid programs.
Concerns expansion of services provided by DHS mental health screening services.*
Provides for appointment of Student Loan Ombudsman and regulates student loan servicers.*
Requires institutions of higher education to provide alternative arrangements to students unable to complete certain assignments by regular due date or register for courses because of day of religious observance.
Requires boards of education and nonpublic schools to provide law enforcement authorities with copies of blueprints and maps of schools and school grounds.
Requires health curriculum for public school students in grades kindergarten through 12 to include instruction on mental health.*
Establishes Repayment Assistance Program and Household Income Affordable Repayment Plan for borrowers of New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 28
Permits county governing body, with approval of county board of taxation, to revise real property assessment calendar.*
Prohibits discrimination against cash-paying consumers.
"Alyssa's Law"; requires public school buildings to be equipped with panic alarm linked to local law enforcement.**
Provides for establishment of county college certificate programs to meet needs of certain regional employers.
Prohibits employer inquiries about worker's wage and salary experience.*
Automatically registers to vote and updates voter registration for eligible person when applying for motor vehicle driver's license, or non-driver identification card.*
Enhances enforcement and oversight of mental health condition and substance use disorder parity laws.**
Revises "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act."
"Out-of-network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act."
Establishes "Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant Bond Financing Act," authorizing issuance of bonds secured by pledge of Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant proceeds, municipal liens, and special assessment; expands "Redevelopment Area Bond Financ
"Healthy Small Food Retailer Act." *
Revises law concerning temporary disability leave.
Allows certain joint insurance funds to make certain investments and to form certain investment programs; authorizes school districts and local units of government to deposit public funds into multiple federally-insured accounts.*
Requires district boards of election to report every two hours number of voters who have voted at each precinct; authorizes challengers to request reported count.
Re-establishes former NJ Commission on Science and Technology as NJ Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.
Authorizes parking privileges for certain healthcare workers who render care at patients' home residences.
Establishes "County Code Pilot Program" for certain counties.*
Requires AG and Commissioner of Health to establish suicide prevention training course and informational materials for firearm retail dealers.
Revises the "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program." *
Requires school security training for persons employed by public and nonpublic schools in substitute capacity and for employees and volunteers of youth programs operated in school buildings.*
Allows county homelessness trust funds to be used for code blue emergency shelter services.
Requires study of safety of school bus passengers in certain emergency situations, including school bus accidents; appropriates $250,000. *
Applies Meadowlands regional hotel use assessment to all municipalities that participate in Meadowlands tax sharing program.
Changes use of certain revenue derived from sports wagering at racetracks.
Prohibits sale or distribution of products containing asbestos.
"Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act"; establishes school district responsibilities in educating gifted and talented students.
Creates two categories of driver's licenses and identification cards; allows residents unable to prove lawful presence in US to receive permits, and standard driver's licenses or identification cards; permits MVC to increase certain fees.
Applies 85 percent loss ratio requirement to certain large group health benefits carriers.*
Vetoed · 4
Requires adoption of anti-nepotism policies by school districts and charter schools.*
Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families; qualifies families to receive additional nutritional assistance.
Concerns use of digital parking meters to monitor parking compliance; establishes fund to encourage designated drivers.
Provides for collection of sales tax from certain remote sellers.
Passed the General Assembly · 14
Establishes certain requirements for domestic violence training for certain judges and judicial personnel.
Provides for jurisdiction for prosecution for certain crimes against minors committed outside New Jersey.
Includes crime of creating false public alarms as form of bias intimidation.
Allows municipality to issue permits to sell alcoholic beverages in residential redevelopment areas.
Requires minimum of one school bus aide for every 15 special needs students on school bus.
Requires BPU to issue written decision concerning utility rate increase approvals to public via its website.
Establishes gross income tax credit for cost of certain postage for sending goods to members of United States Armed Forces and National Guard who are serving their country away from home.
Requires DEP to adopt Statewide plan to reduce lead exposure from contaminated soils and drinking water.
Concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by public school districts and county colleges. *
Concerns arbitration for certain non-teaching school staff.
Directs Secretary of State to develop national marketing campaign promoting State's innovation economy.
Requires DHS to develop outreach plan to inform certain students about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Requires DOE and DCF to establish online reporting systems for schools and child care centers to report lead testing results.
Directs Commissioner of Education to develop sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials of interscholastic athletic sports programs.*
Out of committee · 40
Establishes task force to study issues related to the establishment of full-day kindergarten.
Prohibits investment of pension and annuity funds by State in entities that avoid Superfund obligations to State.
Permits public-private partnership agreements for certain building and highway infrastructure projects; provides for EDA oversight.
Directs installation of electric vehicle charging stations at service areas on State's toll roads.
Requires DOE to establish comprehensive searchable website concerning educational programs and resources available to special education students.
Requires Internet service providers to keep confidential and prohibit any disclosure, sale, or unauthorized access to subscriber's personally identifiable information unless subscriber authorizes Internet service provider in writing to disclose informatio
Clarifies intent of Legislature that attempt or conspiracy to commit certain offenses may constitute acts of domestic violence.
Increases reporting requirements for the NJ Basic Skills Training Program for Economic Growth.
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.
Requires continued coverage of prescription drugs for certain medical conditions.
Permits establishment by county and four-year institutions of higher education of three plus one degree programs for receipt of baccalaureate degree after spending three years at county college and one year at senior institution.
Establishes Working Group on Deaf Education; directs DOE to develop parent resource guide; requires DOE and DOH to collect and report certain data on deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to age 5.*
Establishes "Deaf Student's Bill of Rights."
Permits candidates for school board to circulate petitions jointly and be bracketed together on ballot; permits short nonpolitical designation of principles on petitions and ballots.
Requires Commissioner of Education to include data on chronic absenteeism and disciplinary suspensions on School Report Card and requires public schools to make certain efforts to combat chronic absenteeism.
Allows other licensed healthcare providers trained in evaluation and management of concussions in addition to physicians to provide written clearance for student-athlete return to competition.
Directs certain unclaimed electric and gas utility deposits in Unclaimed Utility Deposits Trust Fund and societal charge revenues to be paid to Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organizations meeting certain eligibility criteria.*
Establishes crimes of purchasing firearm parts to unlawfully manufacture firearms without a serial number, manufacturing or possessing covert or undetectable firearms, and manufacturing or facilitating the manufacture of firearms using a three-dimensional
Authorizes municipality, county or school district to establish charitable funds for specific purposes; permits property tax credit for certain donations.
Requires "breakfast after the bell" program in all schools with 70% or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Requires institutions of higher education and proprietary degree-granting institutions to improve transparency of tuition and fees.
Establishes Dual Enrollment Study Commission.
Permits incarcerated persons to receive student financial aid.
Requires owner or operator of certain trains to have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail; requires NJ DOT to request bridge inspection reports from US DOT.
"Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act;" defines domicile for dependent students for purpose of eligibility for State student grants and scholarships, and resident tuition rate.*
Establishes grant program for certain teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; appropriates $5 million to DOE.*
Establishes STEM Loan Redemption Program.
Requires young children entering public schools or Head Start Programs for first time to have comprehensive eye examination completed.
Requires Director of Division of Investment to attempt to use qualified minority and women-owned financial institutions to provide brokerage and investment management services.
Establishes process for Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to declare loan under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program as in default or rehabilitated.
Prohibits State-chartered financial institutions from charging certain fees to small businesses.
Amends list of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding for FY2019 to include new projects and remove certain projects.
Establishes goals and incentives for increased use of plug-in electric vehicles in NJ.*
Establishes "Unbanked and Underbanked Consumers Study Commission."
Establishes task force to examine and make recommendations regarding implementation of "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act."
Concerns refunds following terminations or cancellations of guaranteed asset protection waivers.
Requires certain consumer reporting agencies to make consumer reports available to consumers in Spanish and certain other languages.*
Establishes "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program."
Concerns local taxation of business personal property of local exchange telephone companies.
Allows municipalities to adopt ordinance to enter properties to perform lead service line replacements.
In committee · 52
Revises procedure for transferring motor vehicles under certain circumstances.
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.
Waives certain commercial driver license fees for veterans and spouses of veterans.
"Garden State Manufacturing Jobs Act."
Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families.
Establishes Behavioral Mental Health Advisory Board in Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in DHS.
Adjusts certain State taxes to support strengthened investments in public, private, and charitable assets in this State.
Dedicates 30 percent of all UEZ sales tax revenues to respective UEZ account and 70 percent of UEZ sales tax revenues to General Fund.
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Prohibits four-year public institutions of higher education from increasing New Jersey resident undergraduate tuition and fees above certain percentages.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
"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.
"Holocaust Reparations Tax Exemption Act"; exempts value of certain payments to Holocaust survivors and their eligible descendants from transfer inheritance and estate taxes.
Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to establish repayment assistance program for borrowers under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students Loan Program who suffer material loss of income.
Concerns credit card interchange fees and consumer protection.
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.
Excludes paraffin used in manufacture of candles from petroleum products gross receipts tax.
Provides gross income tax credit for certain contributions to New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST) program.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Increases personal needs allowance to at least $50 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities.
Decreases the premium receipts tax for surplus lines insurance coverage.
Revises definition of "necessary care" in the State's animal cruelty law to include more specific requirements.
Creates "New Jersey Life Sciences Internship Challenge" program.
Establishes the "Mental Health Court Pilot Program" in several vicinages.
Requires Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to facilitate establishment of four new recovery community centers.
Establishes approval process for proposed offshore wind energy projects and certain benefits to facilitate development of offshore wind energy.
Requires audits of managed care plan provider networks.
Allows places of worship to establish security program to select one person to carry handgun during religious services.
Establishes the "New Jersey Safe and Responsible Driver Act."
Adds new civil penalties and increases surcharges imposed on domestic violence offenders; establishes "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund."
Prohibits firearm possession by persons convicted of certain offenses.
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 municipalities to conduct lead paint inspections in single- and two-family dwellings; requires reporting of inspection results to State.
Establishes Edison Innovation Science and Technology Fund in EDA to provide grants for certain science and technology-based university research; appropriates $5 million.
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.
Requires DHS to give priority to temporary rental assistance over use of hotels or motels in emergency assistance to Work First New Jersey recipients.
Requires successful completion of firearms education program to obtain initial firearms purchaser identification card and permit to purchase a handgun.
Establishes Statewide Assessment Review Task Force.
Bans manufacture, sale, possession, importation, transportation, or use of certain traps.
Revises residential property mortgage foreclosure process.
Expands new home warranty protections.
Establishes registry allowing persons to voluntarily include their names on list of individuals prohibited from owning a firearm.
Revises certain aspects of out-of-network arbitration process under the "Out-of-network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act."
Extends eligibility for Governor's Urban Scholarship Program to students residing in certain municipalities.
Amends statute that criminalizes display of symbols, objects, or graffiti exposing another to threats of violence to specifically include noose, burning cross, or swastika.
Establishes program in HMFA to provide loans to replace lead-contaminated water service lines for certain senior and low income homeowners; appropriates $1 million.
Allows gross income tax deduction for amounts paid for lead or asbestos hazard abatement in taxpayer's primary residence.
Authorizes Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security in places of religious worship; makes certain clarifications concerning their use in nonpublic schools.
Allows public office holder or candidate to use political contributions to pay for child care expenses related to office or campaign activities.
Amends law to extend length of postpartum coverage for Medicaid services for eligible pregnant women to 180-day period.
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