Bills in the 2018–2019 Session, Senate.
Nellie Pou
Sponsored
Became law16
Concerns juvenile incarceration and parole.
Bars persons under age 18 from marrying or entering into a civil union.
Concerns certain real estate licensees.
Requires forms and materials for individuals with developmental disabilities to be available in languages other than English.
Extends document submission deadline for certain residential and mixed use parking projects under Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant program; increases maximum credit amounts awarded for certain residential and mixed use parking projects.
Establishes 35 member New Jersey Puerto Rico Commission in Department of State.
Prohibits use of misleading website to sell event tickets.
Clarifies definition of health care service firms and homemaker-home health aides.
Revises "Accountancy Act of 1997."
Establishes "Unbanked and Underbanked Consumers Study Commission."
Establishes perinatal episode of care pilot program in Medicaid.
Revises requirements for examination and license to practice mortuary science.
Revises law concerning Medicare supplement insurance coverage.
Concerns provision of energy to certain manufacturing facilities by providing exemptions to certain energy related taxes.
Makes FY 2020 language allocation of $1,000,000 appropriated to Grants for Urban Parks to Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson.
Designates State Highway Route 19 as "William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway."
Vetoed2
Establishes certain requirements for stop loss insurance offered to small employers.*
Makes Fiscal Year 2020 supplemental appropriation of $1,700,000 for Thomas Edison State University.
Passed the Senate4
Prohibits consumer reporting agencies from making reports containing adverse information related to employees affected by federal government shutdown.
Makes FY 2020 supplemental appropriation of $2 million for William Paterson University of New Jersey.
Revises requirements for health care service firms to report financial information to Division of Consumer Affairs.
Requires insurers and insurance groups to submit corporate governance annual disclosure to DOBI Commissioner.
Out of committee22
Authorizes DOBI to establish State-based exchange for certain health insurance plans; requires DHS to apply for federal funds for integration of Medicaid eligibility platform and exchange.**
Permits certain physical therapists to perform dry needling.
Revises "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act."
Requires nursing homes to provide training to staff in behavioral health issues.
Allows gross income tax deductions for contributions to the NJBEST program and provides distributions from qualified State tuition programs for K-12 expenses are not qualified withdrawals under gross income tax.*
Increases penalties for energy "slamming" practices.
Prohibits discrimination against cash-paying consumers.
Prohibits consumer reporting agencies from charging certain fees related to security freezes on consumer reports.
Requires active supervision of certain professional and occupational licensing boards.
Prohibits sale of paint or coating removal products that contain methylene chloride unless purchaser meets certain safety standards for use.
Restricts use of isolated confinement in correctional facilities.
Requires DOH to establish maternity care evaluation protocols and maternity care evaluation database.
Requires DOH and DHS to identify and take appropriate steps to secure federal sources of funding to support maternal mental health.*
Makes certain for-profit debt adjusters eligible to be licensed to conduct business in the State.
Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage until child turns 26 years of age.
Requires health benefits coverage for certain preventive services.
Expands rate review process in DOBI for certain individual and small employer health benefits plans.
Increases annual assessment on net written premiums of HMOs to support charity care from two percent to three percent in FY 2020.
Establishes "Safeguarding Against Financial Exploitation Act."
Requires cable television, direct broadcast satellite, and television streaming service companies to include certain fees and charges for service in advertised price to consumers.
Establishes "New Jersey Investing in You Promise Neighborhood Commission" *
Prohibits sale of certain toy guns and imitation firearms.
In committee30
Creates crime of victimization of persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Requires employers and birthing facilities to notify insured pregnant women if their health insurance coverage is not subject to 48-hour maternity law.
Raises age requirement of compulsory school attendance from 16 to 18 years old.
Requires criminal history record background checks for public employees handling vital records.
Establishes "Court Security Enhancement Fund"; increases certain court fees and assessments.
Provides prescriber or health care facility with discretion to number prescription blank forms consecutively.
Requires Division of Purchase and Property to provide additional notification of contracting opportunities to vendors or potential vendors providing or interested in providing home health care services to State agencies.
Directs NJEDA to establish pilot program to assist with permit and approval process related to redevelopment of certain properties.
Requires assessments prior to laboratory and diagnostic testing of persons undergoing mental health screening.
Increases minimum wage for tipped workers.
Imposes time constraints on submission and analysis of rape kits.
Increases personal needs allowance to at least $50 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities.
Provides for review of juvenile sentence of more than 30 years imprisonment without parole eligibility under certain circumstances.
Regulates audits of pharmacies.
Provides disabled persons with discount on fishing license fees.
Requires report and public hearing prior to DEP recommendation of site for inclusion on Superfund list.
Requires direct payment of homestead credit to claimant following sale of qualifying homestead and upon claimant request.
Provides voter registration assistance to persons completing parole, probation, and criminal sentences.
Permits certain undocumented immigrants to obtain professional and occupational licenses in State.
Concerns stop-work orders related to construction worker employment.
Revises financial reporting requirements for charitable organizations; excludes non-monetary in-kind donations from gross revenue for purpose of reporting requirements.
Requires health care professional licensing boards to utilize National Practitioner Data Bank.
Requires provision of certain information on License Verification System concerning health care professionals.
Prohibits slaughter of gestating cow; requires pregnancy testing of any cow to be slaughtered; establishes slaughter of gestating cow as cruelty offense.
Requires licensing for certain non-bank lenders and certain brokers that make or arrange alternative small business loans.
Requires reporting agencies to report to Division of Consumer Affairs number of free consumer reports furnished to New Jersey resident consumers annually.
Requires MVC to issue blue envelopes that hold documents required to operate motor vehicle to persons diagnosed with autism.
Prohibits tax preparation software companies from charging fee for electronically filing State tax returns.
Revises effects of delinquency and insolvency proceedings against insurer-members of federal home loan banks.
Provides for reorganization of health service corporation into mutual holding company system.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law15
Restricts use of isolated confinement in correctional facilities.
Prohibits consumer reporting agencies from charging certain fees related to security freezes on consumer reports.
Prohibits discrimination against cash-paying consumers.
Establishes "New Jersey Investing in You Promise Neighborhood Commission" *
Increases penalties for energy "slamming" practices.
Revises "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act."
Requires active supervision of certain professional and occupational licensing boards.
Prohibits sale of certain toy guns and imitation firearms.
Establishes "Safeguarding Against Financial Exploitation Act." *
Authorizes DOBI to establish State-based exchange for certain health insurance plans; requires DHS to apply for federal funds for integration of Medicaid eligibility platform and exchange.**
Expands rate review process in DOBI for certain individual and small employer health benefits plans.
Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage until child turns 26 years of age.
Requires health benefits coverage for certain preventive services.
Increases annual assessment on net written premiums of HMOs to support charity care from two percent to three percent in FY 2020.
Requires insurers and insurance groups to submit corporate governance annual disclosure to DOBI Commissioner.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 56
Modifies school funding law to eliminate adjustment aid and State aid growth limit; allows adjustment to tax levy growth limitation for certain school districts.
Requires certain contractors to register under "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act."
Concerns equal pay and employment discrimination.*
Provides Medicaid coverage for family planning services to individuals with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
Makes FY 2018 supplemental appropriation of $7,453,000 to DOH for family planning services.
"Babs Siperstein Law"; revises procedure for issuance of amended birth certificate for person who has undergone change in gender.**
Revises Newborn Screening program in DOH.
Makes various changes to "Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971."
Requires NJ State Council on Arts to establish "Artist District" designation and select certain municipalities or areas within municipalities for such designation.
Requires NJ to join U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold Paris Climate Accord.
Allows certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to qualify for State student financial aid programs.
Establishes pilot program in DOE to recruit disadvantaged or minority men to teach in certain underperforming schools under alternate route program.*
Authorizes use of certain electric school buses.
Requires incarcerated individual from State to be counted at residential address for legislative redistricting purposes.
"Earn Your Way Out Act"; requires DOC to develop inmate reentry plan and establish information database; establishes administrative parole release and provides compliance credits.*
Prohibits Higher Education Student Assistance Authority from referring defaulted loans under New Jersey College Loans to AssistState Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program for certain actions if authority and borrower have entered into settlement agreement.*
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to establish communication campaign to encourage students to enroll in 30 credits per year and institutions to report to secretary on strategies and incentives to accomplish this goal.
Requires institutions of higher education to develop open textbook plan.
Establishes Tuition Aid Grant Study Commission to examine New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program and make recommendations regarding improvements to program.
Establishes Campus Sexual Assault Commission.
Reinstates and extends duration of certain UEZs; requires DCA to study UEZ program and report recommendations to the Legislature.**
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 Dual Enrollment Study Commission.
Establishes the "Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights."
Authorizes municipalities, counties, and certain authorities to establish stormwater utilities.
Permits municipal land banking in conjunction with online property database development.
Requires AG to conduct survey of untested sexual assault examination kits.
Provides that no more than 120 credits will be required for baccalaureate degree awarded by a public institution and no more than 60 credits for an associate degree.
Permits service credit transferred from another State-administered retirement system to apply toward creditable service requirement for retirement in SPRS.
Exempts disabled veterans from beach buggy permit fees.
Establishes loan redemption program and tuition reimbursement program for certain teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.*
Establishes special license plates to bring awareness to breast cancer.
Mandates health benefits coverage for fertility preservation services under certain health insurance plans.
Requires Department of State to develop "New Jersey-Made" designation.
Permits recovery of uncompensated medical expenses in civil action for damages arising from automobile accident. *
Requires school districts which participate in Statewide interscholastic sports programs to adopt New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association heat participation policy.*
Prohibits sale or lease of access to certain dental provider network contracts.*
Requires correctional police officers receive 20 hours in-service training, including four hours in prevention of sexual misconduct, non-fraternization, and manipulation.*
Requires Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy to provide services to certain inmates.
Establishes "Restorative Justice in Education Pilot Program" in Department of Education.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $100,000 to Commission on Human Trafficking.
Establishes task force within DOE on prevention of sexual abuse of children.
Provides that certain persons who commit act of sexual penetration or sexual contact with students who are at least 18 but less than 22 years old are guilty of sexual assault or criminal sexual assault.**
Mandates child abuse and sexual abuse training for all candidates for teaching certification.
Makes General Fund supplemental appropriation of $250,000 to New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc.
Revises requirements for grant recipients of Transportation Trust Fund Authority local aid program.
Establishes task force to develop State-wide plan to diversify apprenticeships.
Requires certain medical facilities to undertake end-of-life planning and training.*
Increases prenotification time and requires severance pay in certain plant closings, transfers, and mass layoffs.**
Requires restaurants to post signs advising customers to notify servers of food allergies; requires restaurant managers to complete food allergen training.
Establishes Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage in DOE.
Requires railroad operators to remove obstructive vegetation near railroad crossings.
Requires certain consumer reporting agencies to make consumer reports available to consumers in Spanish and certain other languages.*
Establishes program to increase participation of underrepresented students in New Jersey's science and engineering workforce.
Revises law concerning recovery of unreimbursed medical expenses as economic loss in civil action for damages arising from automobile accident.
Allows municipalities to adopt ordinance to enter properties to perform lead service line replacements.
Vetoed · 5
Requires that if a school district satisfies 80% or more of the required NJ Quality Single Accountability Continuum standards in an area of district effectiveness under State intervention, the State must return that area to local control.
Dedicates $500,000 annually in revenues from vessel registration and renewal fees to NJ Greenwood Lake Fund.
Requires automobile insurers to disclose policy limits upon request by an attorney under certain circumstances.
Prohibits application of fiduciary standard to insurance producers; specifies qualifications of persons providing affidavit of merit in lawsuits against insurance producers. *
Requires young children entering public schools or Head Start Programs for first time to have comprehensive eye examination completed.
Passed the Senate · 19
Requires bi-state transportation authorities to make advance notification of certain projects or operations expected to impede traffic.
Creates New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission.
Directs school districts to establish policies and require training for employees on issues regarding child sexual abuse.
Increases amount of benefits under Work First New Jersey program.
Repeals family cap in Work First New Jersey program.
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to conduct study to determine extent and cause of outmigration of high school graduates to out-of-State colleges.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.*
Requires State Board of Education high school graduation requirements include instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt; requires high school students to meet with guidance counselor to discuss tuition assistance and dual enrollment
Revises and renames NJSTARS; repeals NJSTARS II; establishes NJ HonorScholars Program.
Requires four-year institutions of higher education to offer accelerated three-year baccalaureate degree programs.
Allows students to use certain grant awards during summer session.
Establishes Higher Education Student Assistance Authority Review Task Force to study implementation of New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program.
Expands rights of crime victims.
Establishes loan redemption program for teachers in certain fields to redeem loan amounts received under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students Loan Program through employment in certain failing schools.
Expands scope of New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act dealing with economic impact of rules on small businesses.
Provides that student-athlete who sustains concussion must return to regular school activities prior to return to competition; requires school districts to implement five-step return-to-competition process.
Concerns State criteria for determining whether child has specific learning disability under federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act."
Authorizes grants to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes for homeless veterans.
Prohibits use of education, occupation, and credit score as rating factors in automobile insurance underwriting.
Out of committee · 35
Raises, over time, hourly minimum wage to $15.00.
Increases earned income tax credit; provides credit for child or dependent care expenses; taxes "investment management services." *
Reduces maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.
Requires firearms seizure when certain health professional determines patient poses threat of harm to self or others.*
Automatically registers to vote and updates voter registration for eligible person when applying for motor vehicle driver's license, examination permit, probationary driver's license, or non-driver identification card.*
Establishes Maternal Mortality Review Committee to annually review and report on rates and causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in New Jersey, and to recommend improvements in maternal care.*
Revises law concerning reciprocity for out-of-State professional and occupational licenses.
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 certain minimum and maximum temperatures in emergency shelters, rooming and boarding houses, and certain nursing homes and residential health care facilities.
Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families; qualifies families to receive additional nutritional assistance.
Revises law concerning temporary disability leave.
Enhances enforcement and oversight of mental health condition and substance use disorder parity laws.**
"Consumer Access to Health Care Act"; eliminates requirement of joint protocol with physician for advanced practice nurses to prescribe medication.
Concerns earned sick leave to employees.*
Adopts federal definition of armor piercing ammunition.*
"Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018."
Provides corporation business tax credit to public utilities that develop qualified native pollinator habitat in their rights of way.
Requires Department of Education to develop guidelines for school districts concerning child trafficking awareness and prevention.*
Requires certain health care facilities to provide information concerning palliative care and hospice care services.
Allows county homelessness trust funds to be used for code blue emergency shelter services.
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.
"Linda's Law"; prohibits electric public utilities from discontinuing service to customers using life-sustaining equipment with verification of use of equipment.
Requires telemarketers to provide name, mailing address, and telephone number of person on whose behalf call is made.
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.
Directs Dept. of Agriculture to establish public awareness campaign for food waste.
Establishes New Jersey Food Waste Task Force to make recommendations concerning food waste in New Jersey.
Requires Chief Technology Officer to establish "Anti-Hunger Link" for all State websites, providing information on emergency food services.
Directs Department of Agriculture to establish food desert produce pilot program.
"Hunger-Free Campus Act"; requires Secretary of Higher Education to establish grant program to address food insecurity among students enrolled in public institutions of higher education; appropriates $1 million.
Prohibits sale or distribution of products containing asbestos.
Requires DOH to establish "My Life, My Plan" program to support women of childbearing age in developing reproductive life plan.
Permits certain members or retirees of PFRS,SPRS, or PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations.*
Revises law requiring health benefits coverage for certain contraceptives.*
Requires health benefits and Medicaid coverage for breastfeeding support.*
Requires health insurers to limit copayments for insulin.
In committee · 30
Requires Passaic Valley Water Commission to obtain approval of certain municipalities before entering into certain contracts concerning open-air reservoirs.
"Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act."
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Expands role of temporary guardian to include arranging placement of alleged incapacitated person in appropriate, less restrictive environment.
Protects home addresses of law enforcement officers from being released by governmental entities.
Establishes tuition reimbursement program for certain advanced practice nurses who provide mental health care services in underserved areas in New Jersey.
Concerns termination of child support and other financial support for emancipated child.
"Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances.
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.
Upgrades crime of soliciting or recruiting for criminal street gang while on school property.
Dedicates 30 percent of all UEZ sales tax revenues to respective UEZ account and 70 percent of UEZ sales tax revenues to General Fund.
Directs four-year public institutions of higher education to develop plan to achieve six-year graduation rate of at least 70 percent for full-time undergraduate students by 2022-2023 academic year.
Raises minimum wage rate to $10.10, makes further increases over a four-year period, and maintains annual cost of living increases.
Requires health insurers, SHBP, and SEHBP to provide coverage for certain drug regimens for treatment of AIDS or HIV under certain circumstances.
Adds two student representatives to board of governors of Rutgers University.
Expands new home warranty protections.
Requires motor vehicle insurance policies to include certain underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage.
Provides that limitation on lawsuit option does not apply in accidents caused by drunk or reckless drivers.
Increases from 18 to 21 age at which person is eligible to receive firearms purchaser identification.
Makes $10.5 million supplemental appropriation for increased Per Capita Library Aid.
Prohibits leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor under age of 18; requires law enforcement officers who observe unsecured firearms to conduct follow-up.
Requires State and local government recapture of economic development subsidies for failure to meet minimum job retention obligations.
Requires Medicaid cover professional violence prevention counseling services.
Makes supplemental appropriation of $750,000 to New Jersey Library Network for continuation of services.
The "New Jersey Youth Justice Transformation Act;" annually appropriates $100 million to Juvenile Justice Commission.
Provides that firearms purchaser identification card is valid for four years; requires training prior to issuance of firearms cards and handgun purchase permits; revises procedures for passing of firearms to heir or legatee.
Establishes certain criminal penalties for possession and transfer of firearms and ammunition to disqualified person.
Regulates sale of handgun ammunition and develops system for electronic reporting of firearm information.
Requires carriers to pass prescription drug savings to consumers.
Revises requirements and process for temporary courtesy licenses and certificates issued by State Board of Examiners, NJ Board of Nursing, and other professional and occupational licensing boards to nonresident military spouses.
Filed · 1
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.