Bills in the 2014–2015 Session, General Assembly.
Herb Conaway Jr.
Sponsored
Became law5
Establishes procedure for consolidating fire districts.
Establishes the Task Force on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in DOH.
Requires development and maintenance of database to advise public about open bed availability in residential substance use disorders treatment facilities.
Permits administration of epinephrine auto-injector device by persons who complete approved educational program.
Requires certain surgical practices and ambulatory care facilities licensed in this State to be owned by hospital or medical school located in the State. *
Vetoed3
Requires Medicaid coverage for diabetes self-management education, training, services, and equipment for patients diagnosed with diabetes, gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes. *
Authorizes Drinking Water Quality Institute to study and recommend maximum contaminant level for 1,2,3-trichloropropane to DEP.*
Mandates health benefits coverage for opioid analgesics with abuse-deterrent properties. *
Passed the General Assembly4
Establishes Medicaid Smart Card Pilot Program.
Establishes central registry for sickle cell trait diagnoses; provides for informational outreach and genetic counseling.
Requires 9-1-1 service facilities be equipped with Next Generation 9-1-1 system and provides funding for that purpose; makes texting the 9-1-1 emergency system without purpose of reporting need for 9-1-1 service a fourth degree crime.**
Makes provisions of the "New Jersey False Claims Act" retroactive under certain circumstances.
Out of committee17
Requires audits of managed care plan provider networks.
Requires DEP to conduct vibration analysis along routes for disposal of dredged material from Delaware River.
Clarifies statutory exemptions from mandatory immunizations for students.
Requires insurance coverage in the individual and small employer markets and SHBP and SEHBP for "off-label" uses of certain drugs.
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 flexible scheduling of private duty nursing services for eligible Medicaid recipients.
Revises requirements for licensure and creates physician-delegated scope of practice for physician assistants.
Provides for certification for emergency medical technicians to administer opioid antidotes.
Revises certain provisions of New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program.
Requires health insurers, group health plans, SHBP, and SEHBP to share certain health benefits information with Medicaid and other State programs.
Directs poison control and drug information program to establish clearinghouse of drug overdose information, report on trends, and provide education on safe storage and disposal of medications; appropriates $500,000.
Extends "Overdose Prevention Act" immunity provisions to certain professionals and professional entities, and permits needle exchange programs to obtain standing order for opioid antidote dispensation.*
Permits successful completion of special probation drug court program notwithstading use of medication-assisted treatment.*
Authorizes State-chartered banks, savings banks, savings and loans, and credit unions to conduct certain savings account promotions.
Directs DOT to add certain portion of Rising Sun Road in Bordentown Township to State highway system.
Requires health insurance carriers to provide notice of termination of coverage to covered persons in certain circumstances.
Exempts intraoperative monitoring services rendered during inpatient surgical procedures from physician self-referral restrictions.
In committee51
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.
Concerns access to certain job training courses for employees affected by plant closings, mass layoffs or transfer of operations.
Allows persons affected by certain plant closings, transfers and mass layoffs to receive temporary suspension of payment of interest on mortgage loan.
Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.
Establishes the "Veterans Court Pilot Program."
Prohibits permanent change of child custody during period of active military service; provides that absence due to active military duty, by itself, is insufficient justification to modify a child custody or visitation order.
Concerns liability, standards of care, and insurance coverage for medical malpractice actions.
Provides for expedited injunction for violations of law requiring prenotification of certain plant closings, transfers and mass layoffs.
Establishes Electronic Health Information Technology Fund.
Revises standards for expert witnesses in medical malpractice actions.
Prohibits school districts from accessing a school-issued electronic communication device to monitor student conduct outside of school property.
Extends Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance Premium Assistance Fund and collection of annual surcharges for 5 years.
Requires certain health benefits plans to include coverage for treatment at ambulatory surgical centers and surgical practices and prohibits riders to the contrary.
Enhances pay-to-play provisions applicable to county bridge commission contractors.
Establishes death by auto as first degree crime in certain circumstances; designated as Dirk's law.
Limits settings where certain surgeries may be performed.
Requires Commissioner of DHSS to assess how to increase number of teaching hospitals and medical residency programs throughout State.
Concerns liability and insurance coverage for medical malpractice actions.
Provides for designation of surrogates to make health care decisions for certain patients and decision making process for patients without surrogates; establishes demonstration program for transition of isolated patients from inpatient care to post-acute
Requires surgical practices to be licensed by DHSS as ambulatory care facilities.
Requires certain health care facilities to offer, and health care workers to receive, annual influenza vaccination.
Requires insurers, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare to reimburse for childhood immunizations at levels specified by regulation.
Permits person covered by certain managed care plans to receive covered services from network provider without obtaining written referral from primary care provider.
Provides civil immunity for certain volunteer physicians, nonprofit clinics and federally qualified health centers.
Establishes prescription drug donation repository program.
Requires physicians to complete survey as condition for biennial registration with Board of Medical Examiners and requires board to maintain and disseminate survey data as appropriate.
Deletes prior authorization requirements by certain insurers for accessing certain health care services.
Provides post-traumatic stress disorder from military service during combat may be mitigating factor during sentencing.
Increases tobacco products wholesale sales and use tax rates to be on par with tax rate imposed on cigarettes under cigarette tax; dedicates revenue for smoking and tobacco use cessation programs.
Concerns cigarette manufacturers and production of certain tobacco products using roll-your-own tobacco machines at retail establishments within this State.
"Compounding Pharmacy Quality Assurance Act"; requires accreditation of compounding pharmacies.
Prohibits insurers from increasing premiums or making other adverse underwriting decisions with respect to medical malpractice liability insurance under certain circumstances.
Makes a FY2014 supplemental appropriation of $3 million for hemophilia treatment centers.
Restricts health insurers from limiting access to pain medication.
Requires State Board of Medical Examiners to conduct international criminal history background checks and check employer references for licensees.
"Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensing Act."
Establishes certain requirements, including allowable fees, for provision of medical records to patients, legally authorized representatives, and authorized third parties.
Concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by public school districts and higher education institutions.
Requires certain health benefits plans to provide treatment for substance abuse and dependency when determined medically necessary by physician or psychologist.
Enters New Jersey in Nurse Multistate Licensure Compact.
Requires health care practitioners to inform patients of addiction potential of controlled dangerous substances prior to issuing prescription.
Establishes remote medical consultation assistance grant program in DOH.
Concerns medical imaging technology licensure; provides licensing of magnetic resonance imaging technologists.
Requires Division of Consumer Affairs to publish list of certain tamper-resistant opioid drugs; establishes that certain conditions be met for pharmacist to substitute for tamper-resistant opioid drug.
Requires health benefits coverage for buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone under certain conditions.
"New Jersey Health Insurance Marketplace Act."
Requires pharmacies to install and maintain secure prescription medication drop-off receptacles, and Division of Consumer Affairs to post receptacle location information online.
Requires health insurance carriers to reimburse network providers of diagnostic radiologic services at the same rate.
Requires school districts and charter schools to provide educationally appropriate alternative activities to students not participating in administration of certain standardized assessments.
Imposes a wholesale sales tax on electronic cigarettes and similar nicotine delivery products, changes tax base and requires licenses to conduct business in tobacco products.
Requires DOH license additional angioplasty facilities, with at least one facility in each county.
Carried from the Senate
Became law4
Revises requirements for licensure and creates physician-delegated scope of practice for physician assistants.
Extends "Overdose Prevention Act" immunity provisions to certain professionals and professional entities, and permits needle exchange programs to obtain standing order for opioid antidote.*
Permits successful completion of special probation drug court program notwithstanding use od medication-assisted treatment.*
Authorizes State-chartered banks, savings banks, savings and loans, and credit unions to conduct certain savings account promotions.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 17
Authorizes municipalities to impose penalties on creditors that fail to timely remedy code violations of certain properties in foreclosure.*
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.
Prohibits certain unsolicited checks.
Abigail's Law; requires that newly-manufactured school buses be equipped with sensors.
Establishes requirements for pharmacists to dispense biological products.*
"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.
Codifies "Project Medicine Drop" program; requires Division of Consumer Affairs to maintain secure prescription medicine drop-off receptacles at certain law enforcement agencies.*
Requires State Employment and Training Commission to prepare annual report on State workforce.
Allows gross income taxpayers to use their gross income tax returns to make voluntary contributions to ALS Association for services to New Jersey residents.
Creates financial planning assistance program for disabled veterans and their caregivers.
Increases income eligibility cap to receive respite care for certain veterans.*
Establishes program to provide assistance to qualified veterans in in-patient and out-patient treatment programs to travel to medical counseling in State.*
Authorizes operators of motor vehicles to display electronic proof of insurance.
New Jersey Stolen Valor Act; makes unauthorized use of military uniforms, medals or insignias, and certain false statements regarding receipt of military awards with intent to obtain benefit crimes of third degree.
"New Jersey Small Business Retirement Marketplace Act."*
Requires certain notifications for termination of services to persons with developmental disabilities and providers.
Appropriates $88,592,361 from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and various Green Acres bond funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Vetoed · 4
Permits small businesses to qualify for loans from NJEDA for costs of energy audit and making energy efficiency or conservation improvements.
Prohibits smoking at public parks and beaches.
Provides Medicaid coverage for advance care planning.
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Passed the General Assembly · 25
Establishes task force to study issues related to the establishment of full-day kindergarten.
Establishes criminal penalties for operating or participating in pyramid promotional schemes.
Clarifies that using animal to cause bodily injury to another constitutes assault with a deadly weapon; grants immunity to police officers who use police dog as deadly weapon.*
Establishes the "New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act."*
Increases fine for violation of certain laws concerning pedestrian safety and traffic control; dedicates funds to certain roadways.
Authorizes prescribed burning in certain circumstances.
Creates self-defense justification for victims of domestic violence.
The "Real Estate Installment Contract Act."
Prohibits persons convicted of animal cruelty offenses from owning domestic companion animals and from working or volunteering at animal-related enterprises; designated as "Moose's Law."*
Requires OAL to maintain Internet database summarizing all State rule-making actions.
Modernizes the distribution of gross income tax refunds by making direct deposit the default distribution method.
Creates Education Reform Review Task Force; delays implementation of certain assessments and certain changes to teacher evaluation system.
Establishes "Milkweed for Monarchs" program.
Establishes "Adopt a Monarch Butterfly Waystation" program.
Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act; Provides income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.
Requires DOE to create military-connected student identifier for inclusion in student-level database.
Revises procedures for processing incomplete Medicaid applications; exempts asset transfers of up to $500 per month during look back period for determining eligibility for long-term care services.*
Expands the Address Confidentiality Program to include victims of sexual assault and stalking.
Provides for increase and annual adjustment in allowance paid to veterans with certain wartime service-connected disabilities.
Requires certain health care facilities to provide information concerning palliative care and hospice services.*
Extends post-military service protection against mortgage foreclosure.
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.*
"Healthy Small Food Retailer Act"; provides funding to small food retailers to sell fresh and nutritious food.
Allows installment payments for senior and disabled property taxpayers to repay overpayments of homestead credits and homestead property tax reimbursements.
Establishes Military and Defense Economic Ombudsman in Department of State.*
Out of committee · 27
Requires DOH to establish "New Jersey Autism Website."
Requires labeling of foods containing genetically engineered material.*
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
Clarifies intent of P.L.2007, c.340 regarding NJ's required participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Prohibits treatment, discharge, disposal, application to roadway, or storage of wastewater, wastewater solids, sludge, drill cuttings or other byproducts from natural gas exploration or production using hydraulic fracturing.*
"Wage Transparency Act"; requires reporting of public contractor employment information.
"Unfair Wage Recovery Act"; provides that unlawful employment practice occurs each time individual is affected.
Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly.
Establishes procedures and standards regarding public services privatization contracts.
Prohibits employment discrimination based on applicant employment status.
Requires Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with various entities, to design a manufacturing career pathway to provide students with skills necessary to gain employment in manufacturing sector.
Directs Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to establish a pilot program to assist certain unemployed and underemployed individuals to complete a career and technical education certificate program in 12 months.*
Establishes "Higher Education Manufacturing Grant Program" for public institutions of higher education to establish or expand programs in manufacturing fields.
Creates the New Jersey Advanced Manufacturing Council.
Raises minimum age for purchase and sale of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices from 19 to 21.
Prohibits insurers from setting prices for non-covered dental services.
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.
Requires interior light of motor vehicle be turned on when stopped by law enforcement under certain circumstances.*
Extends "whistleblower" protections to employee disclosure of governmental mismanagement, waste and abuse.
Increases electric power net metering capacity threshold to 2.9 percent of total annual kilowatt-hours sold in State.*
Permits reimbursement of COBRA health benefit costs of survivors of certain deceased public safety employees; appropriates $750,000.**
Requires annual General Fund appropriation to DMVA for purposes of base realignment and closure.*
Appropriates $4,750,000 from various Green Acres funds for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Establishes New Jersey Military Skills Council.
Provides preference to certain employers applying for workforce development grants.
Facilitates coordination of land use planning between civilian and military interests to preserve viability of federal military installations within State.
Establishes a process to integrate certain health data and other data from publicly supported programs for population health research.*
In committee · 60
"Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Requires school districts to provide instruction on awareness of eating disorders as part of Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Restricts bail options for second and subsequent offenses occurring while released.
Requires health care facilities to report certain information about their health care staff to their respective professional boards or DHSS.
Concerns urban enterprise zones.
Provides a corporation business tax credit for day care center support benefiting children of employees.
Clarifies that first aid, ambulance or rescue squads, as entities, have immunity from civil damages in certain circumstances.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Requires destruction of records stored on digital copy machines under certain circumstances.
Requires State Auditor review of certain Department of Corrections privatization contracts.
Clarifies that criminal impersonation committed by any means, including electronic communications or Internet website, shall be subject to criminal penalties.
Prohibits smoking in automobiles when children are present.
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.
Increases penalties for motor vehicle violations resulting in serious bodily injury or death to certain persons in highway.
Requires percentage of motor vehicle fines be used to support safe routes to school initiatives.
Makes a $3 million supplemental appropriation for increased Per Capita Library Aid.
Requires certain energy tax receipts to be paid directly to municipalities.
Provides for licensure of pediatric respite care facilities.
Requires certain disclosures in advertisements by health care professionals.
Requires health benefits coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances and provides reimbursement therefor.
Revises law concerning ticket sales.
Excludes Armed Services combat zone pay from gross income taxation.
Establishes pilot program to utilize value-based benefit design in SHBP to increase health benefits coverage for certain employees concerning chronic health conditions.
Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 annual compensation PERS retiree may earn in PERS-covered employment without reenrollment.
Clarifies that certain types of sewage and sewage sludge expelled from a public sewer system or public sewage treatment plant are not hazardous substances for purposes of "Spill Compensation and Control Act."
Allows homestead property tax reimbursement program participants who lose income eligibility due to an IRA withdraw for certain purposes to maintain base year upon requalification.
Permits municipality, fire district or authority to approve transfer of certain firefighters from PERS to PFRS.
"New Jersey Disaster Victims' Bill of Rights"; authorizes $500 million emergency State bonds and appropriates money for municipal property tax relief program.
Establishes "Collaborative Mental Health Care Pilot Program" in DOH; appropriates $750,000.
Permits developer to qualify for low-interest loan from NJEDA when building a high performance green building.
"Water Supply Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Act."
Regulates advertising of manufacturer’s rebates by retail mercantile establishments.
Expands notification when an offender is released from custody or transferred within the criminal justice system.
Revises statutes concerning firearms purchaser identification cards and handgun purchase permits; makes handgun purchase permit valid for four years.
Provides loan redemption for certain physicians who work in State 10 years.
Requires school districts to provide instruction on responsible use of social media for middle school students as part of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Technology.
Requires actual transportation occur as a condition of billing for ambulance services.
Clarifies law regarding local public contract specifications and leases of public land for agricultural or horticultural use.
Establishes "Fund to Prevent Use of Tobacco and Electronic Smoking Devices"; supports activities to prevent use and promote awareness of associated health conditions.
Clarifies that only products assembled in U.S. meet "Buy-American" standards of public contracts laws.
Creates pilot program to fund adult education programs for residents of certain communities.
Requires hospital employees assist uninsured patients with creating account to apply for insurance coverage through Federally-Facilitated Marketplace.
Expands EMT and first responder scopes of practice to include the administration of opioid antidotes, and extends immunity under Overdose Prevention Act to such actors, thereby making permanent a DOH waiver that was issued on March 20, 2014.
Establishes veterans' preference for affordable housing in certain housing projects.
Provides for increase in allowance paid to veterans with certain wartime service-connected disabilities.
Requires insurers to provide minimum of 30 days inpatient treatment for substance abuse when physician determines treatment is medically necessary.
Requires institutions of higher education to provide greater assistance to certain students with military obligations.
Permits Governor to notify local governments to fly United States and State flags at half-staff upon death of member of Armed Forces of United States or National Guard who was State resident.
Establishes "Veterans Court Pilot Program in several counties."
Revises homestead property tax reimbursement eligibility requirements for certain claimants relocating homesteads within the same municipality.
Designates five State songs.
Expands eligibility to receive the veterans' property tax deduction and the veterans' property tax exemption.
Provides US Armed Forces and Reserves members with protection against interference with their employment, trade or business.
Provides US Armed Forces and Reserves members with protection against interference with enjoyment of any accommodation, facility, public accommodation, or privilege.
Requires Attorney General to appoint special prosecutor when criminal complaint is filed against law enforcement officer.
Directs DOT to update advisability studies concerning cost difference between using in-house forces versus consultants for bridge inspections, construction inspections, and design projects.
Authorizes health care practitioners to provide health care services through telemedicine.
Provides incentives for certain businesses associated with military installations.
Requires carriers to disclose selection standards for placement of health care providers in tiered health benefits plan network; establishes oversight monitor to review compliance.