Bills in the 2014–2015 Session, Senate.
Peter J. Barnes III
Sponsored
Became law5
Prohibits motor carrier transportation contract from indemnifying promisee against liability for loss or damage in certain instances.
Prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls to commercial mobile service devices.
Repeals anachronistic, superseded, or invalidated sections of statutory law.
Prohibits manufacture, sale, or installation of counterfeit or nonfunctional air bags in motor vehicles.*
Directs certain four-year public institutions of higher education to establish substance abuse recovery housing program.
Vetoed4
Prohibits employment discrimination based on applicant employment status.
Requires necessary services and supports to be provided to former residents of developmental centers transitioning to community placements.*
Requires teachers of health and physical education in grades kindergarten through six in public schools to possess appropriate endorsement to instructional certificate.
Requires interior light of motor vehicle be turned on when stopped by law enforcement under certain circumstances.*
Passed the Senate1
Requires hotels to upgrade phone systems to allow guests to dial 9-1-1 without first dialing any other digit.
Out of committee38
Requires certain DOC, county, and municipal prison physicians to acquire certain training.
Requires correctional facilities to provide inmates with prescription medication that was prescribed for chronic conditions existing prior to incarceration.
Deletes CAFRA permit exemption for reconstruction activities in coastal area.
Prohibits certain employment actions against employees affected by a declared state of emergency.
Includes reverse rate evasion as form of insurance fraud and provides for civil and criminal penalties.
Requires Department of Agriculture to post on its website certain information regarding State's farm to school program.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support farm to school and school gardens programs.
Establishes "Best in New Jersey 'Farm to School' Awards Program" to annually recognize the best farm to school programs implemented by a school or school district.
Allows contributions to "New Jersey Farm to School Program."
Requires continuing education for licensed practicing psychologists.
Provides remedies for certain fraudulent financing statements.*
Allows reemployment by school district of TPAF retiree as coach of athletic activity when compensation is under $10,000.
Transportation Sustainability Procurement Program Act.
Exempts school district employees in certain counties from requirement to reside in State as pilot project; requires DOE report.
Requires teachers of health and physical education in grades kindergarten through six in public schools to possess the appropriate endorsement to the instructional certificate, and includes a "grandfather" provision.
Concerns location of workers' compensation hearings.
Establishes a small business job creation and preservation account program to incentivize small business workforce expansion in New Jersey with income tax exclusions for interest.
Requires corporations qualifying for certain State development subsidy grants to repay entire grant amount if corporation fails to uphold grant terms.
Requires institutions of higher education to provide victims of sexual assault with contact information for sexual assault crisis services.*
Requires institutions of higher education to post information on sexual assaults on website and provide the information to prospective students.
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.
Prohibits sale of certain products containing dextromethorphan to minors under 18 years of age.*
"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.
Establishes Task Force on Engineering Curriculum and Instruction.
Permits holders of certain alcoholic beverage licenses to be issued amusement game license and updates definition of recognized amusement park.*
Requires employees of institutions of higher education who assist student victims of sexual assault to receive victim-centered training and students participating in student organizations or athletic programs to receive campus sexual assault prevention tr
Requires school business administrator to annually report to board of education on district contracts.
Excepts certain youthful offenders convicted of sex offense from sex offender registration and notification requirements.
Requires Attorney General to establish Statewide gun buyback program.
Requires providers to submit to DHS expenditure details of enrollees in Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Requires DHS to notify enrollees in Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly of Medicare eligibility.
Requires DHS to monitor utilization and billing of services for Medicaid home and community-based long-term care.
Directs Attorney General to develop plan to disseminate Amber and Silver Alert information through social media.
Establishes task force to study issues related to sexual assault on college campuses.
Revises definition of all-terrain vehicles.
Regulates autocycles.
Expands eligibility of inmates for medical parole and requires inmate's enrollment in Medicaid under certain circumstances.
Requires each institution of higher education to establish Sexual Violence Prevention Advisory Board.
In committee91
Allows credit against certain charges to CATV customers opting out of premium service within 30 days of CATV company notice of network or programming change.
Requires annual notice of assessment on property to contain bolded notice of filing deadline for appeal.
Requires notice requirements by CATV companies for changes to station channel positions to be consistent with federal law.
Limits forum of consumer contract disputes to New Jersey.
Regulates individuals engaged in the facilitation of like-kind exchanges of property pursuant to Section 1031 of the United States Tax Code.
Creates a civil cause of action for stalking.
Adds conviction of unlawfully possessing weapon to list of crimes that statutorily prohibits someone from buying or owning firearm.
Upgrades crime of manslaughter to aggravated manslaughter under certain circumstances.
Permits theaters with 250 seats or more to apply for liquor license.
Establishes procedures for determining enforceability of standard form contracts; invalidates certain indemnification clauses.
Creates New Jersey Coastal Commission; reallocates certain funds from DEP to commission; and appropriates $20 million.
Changes types of development requiring CAFRA permit from DEP.
Limits enforcement of certain employment contracts of individuals eligible for unemployment compensation.
Authorizes, by court order, furnishing of tax records or files, or information contained therein, for criminal investigations or prosecutions of non-tax crimes.
Concerns exclusion of individuals with certain employment history in advertisements for job vacancies.
Requires school districts to ensure that certain student information stored on an electronic data processing system is backed up daily, and that teachers have access to the information for at least150 days.
Establishes special parking for hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel vehicles.
Increases penalties for certain alteration of an automobile's computer and establishes penalty for resulting death or injury.
Establishes pilot program in Edison Township requiring Attorney General to perform police internal affairs functions.
Requires law enforcement officer to verify vehicle registration with MVC before issuing summons for violation of red light camera.
Requires health insurance carriers to use standard explanation of benefits form.
Prohibits use of anti-concurrent causation clauses in homeowners insurance policies.
Prohibits law enforcement officer from arresting student for violation of school policy under certain circumstances.
Increases membership of PFRS board of trustees.
Eliminates requirement that notice of elections list polling place locations; requires notice include Division of Elections Internet site providing polling place locations.
Increases filing threshold for the New Jersey estate tax.
Permits juror donation of statutory juror compensation to Legal Services of New Jersey through AOC; provides for payment of State matching funds, equal to juror donation amount, to same organization.
Requires prior written authorization for third-party charges to be placed on cellular telephone bills.
Revises statutes concerning incorporation and governance of the Protestant Episcopal Church to remove gender-specific references.
Clarifies procedures for resignation, removal, and succession of fiduciaries.
Clarifies procedures for restoration of driver's license after suspension; authorizes the court to waive imprisonment under certain circumstances.
Adds two employees to the boards of trustees of the State colleges and the county colleges.
Adds two student representatives to board of governors of Rutgers University.
"Disaster Information Access Act"; requires utility service providers to report severe weather and emergency related service interruptions; directs utility service providers and State Office of Emergency Management to present reported information online a
Imposes certain restrictions on sale of products containing dextromethorphan.
Prohibits distribution of images and information produced by red light cameras.
Requires self-driving motor vehicles to be equipped with ignition interlock device.
"Pet Groomers Licensing Act;" designated as "Bijou's Law."
Clarifies statute requiring motorists to yield to authorized emergency vehicles sounding sirens and displaying red lights.
Establishes right to immediate interlocutory appeal from determinations as to class certification in class action lawsuits.
"Fair Debt Collection Practices of New Jersey."
Increases criminal penalties related to certain illegal activities involving controlled dangerous substances.
Requires State Auditor to report on finances of public institutions of higher education.
Requires food and ingredients to be labeled with FDA approval status.
Requires retail food stores to notify consumers of certain recalled food products.
Requires certain health benefits plans to provide coverage for behavioral health care services when determined medically necessary by physician or psychologist.
Imposes moratorium on DHS transitions and transfers of residents of State developmental centers until certain conditions are met.
Allows nonimmigrant alien students who have applied for a green card to qualify for in-State tuition at public institutions of higher education.
Directs that jury service shall extend for one day or one trial if selected to serve on a trial.
Prohibits pharmacies from charging additional fee for processing prescriptions transmitted by telephone or electronic means.
Requires 10 percent bail premium unless lesser amount approved by court; authorizes installment payments.
Creates fourth degree crime for certain actions concerning bail and incarcerated individuals; requires license revocation of bail agents and agencies in certain circumstances.
Requires county correctional facilities to implement written policies relating to bail agents and inmates; directs Attorney General to develop uniform guidelines.
Requires photographic identification cards for bail agents.
Establishes crime of operating as bail agent without license.
Codifies and increases fees for licensing and renewal of bail-bond agents.
Transfers authority to regulate bail agents to DLPS; establishes Bail Agent Enforcement Unit.
Requires school districts, nonpublic schools, and institutions of higher education to report allegations of sexual assault to law enforcement.
Requires telephone utility to temporarily suspend local exchange telephone service for up to six continuous months when requested by residential customer; allows customer to keep telephone number when resuming service.
Requires successful completion of firearms education program to obtain initial firearms purchaser identification card and permit to purchase a handgun.
"New Jersey Sexual Assault Violence in Education Act"; requires institutions of higher education to adopt anti-sexual assault theater program, report allegations of sexual assault to county prosecutor, and provide students with information on sexual assau
Establishes Special Needs Work-for-Housing Pilot Program within Department of Human Services to provide certain individuals with supportive housing in exchange for work activity or alternative work experience.
Permits pharmacists to offer customers purchasing prescription drugs discounts and rebates.
Modernizes the distribution of gross income tax refunds by making direct deposit the default distribution method.
Expands eligibility for veterans civil service preference.
Regulates passenger transportation companies that use an online application program to connect drivers to passengers.
Establishes licensure for associate marriage and family therapists.
Requires certain CATV companies to provide free Internet access to public libraries.
Eliminates transfer inheritance tax for step-grandchildren.
Requires Attorney General to appoint special prosecutor when criminal complaint is filed against law enforcement officer.
Makes changes to procedures used by medical examiners for autopsies or dissections performed over religious objections.
Requires students enrolled in public institutions of higher education to complete course on financial literacy.
Requires posting of information about availability of services from substance abuse treatment facilities on county and DHS websites.
Clarifies statutory exemptions from mandatory immunizations for students.
Increases nonpublic pupil transportation to 30 miles from the pupil's residence.
Requires pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesale distributors accept and provide a rebate for certain returned drugs.
Permits increase in municipal free public library tax upon voter approval.
Requires annual review of law enforcement officers' motor vehicle records.
"New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act"; authorizes issuance of $125,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance capital projects at public libraries; appropriates $5,000.
Provides for Attorney General to handle investigation and prosecution of crime involving death caused by law enforcement officer while in performance of officer's duties; requires officer indictment by State grand jury.
Establishes Small Business Unit and Small Business Task Force within Business Action Center in Department of State.
Extends immunity from liability to nonprofit associations engaged in organizing, teaching, refereeing, or coaching sports activity under State law requiring protective eyewear for children who participate in certain sports.
Enacts new "Uniform Interstate Family Support Act"; repeals previous uniform law.
Establishes that police vehicles have a useful life of five years and allows local units to bond for such vehicles.
Requires certain protocols for reporting absences in licensed child care centers.
Authorizes county prosecutor to order removal of municipal police officer unable to perform essential function of office.
Permits certain audiologists to dispense and fit hearing aids.
Establishes three-year pilot program in one county to provide nonpublic school transportation services on county-wide basis.
Codifies standards for court to consider in determining application for removal of child of divorced or separated persons from jurisdiction.
Permits charging late fee for rental payments due on self-service storage units and authorizes sale of property via website.
Establishes diversionary program for certain defendants charged with driving while intoxicated.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law11
Prohibits sale of certain products containing dextromethorphan to minors under 18 years of age.*
Requires school business administrator to annually report to board of education on district contracts.*
Includes reverse rate evasion as form of insurance fraud and provides for civil and criminal penalties.
Provides remedies for certain fraudulent financing statements.*
Requires continuing education for licensed practicing psychologists.
Permits holders of certain alcoholic beverage licenses to be issued amusement game license and updates definition of recognized amusement park.
Establishes task force to study issues related to sexual assault on college campuses.
Requires DHS to notify enrollees in Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly of Medicare eligibility.
Requires providers to submit to DHS expenditure details of enrollees in Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Requires DHS to monitor utilization and billing of services for Medicaid home and community-based long-term care.
Revises definition of all-terrain vehicles.
Vetoed2
Requires DOE to review Core Curriculum Content Standards to ensure they incorporate standards regarding engineering where appropriate.*
Expands eligibility of inmates for medical parole and requires inmate's enrollment in Medicaid under certain circumstances.
Passed the General Assembly1
Requires teachers of health and physical education in grades kindergarten through six in public schools to possess the appropriate endorsement to the instructional certificate, and includes a "grandfather" provision.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 4
Designates Black Swallowtail butterfly as State Butterfly.
Implements constitutional amendment providing for pretrial detention of certain criminal defendants; establishes non-monetary bail alternatives for release; authorizes Judiciary to revise fees for certain legal programs and services.*
Increases monetary amounts for transfer of estate assets without administration and for exemption from debts of the deceased.*
Expands Police Training Commission membership to include representative from National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.*
Vetoed · 12
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.*
Revises procedure for issuance of amended birth certificate for person who has undergone change in sex.
Gives priority in training programs to long-term unemployed.
Requires use of goods made in the United States for public contracts; requires disclosures by businesses that receive public contracts or development assistance.**
Requires Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to use certain products manufactured in U.S.
Requires Delaware River and Bay Authority to use certain products manufactured in U.S.
Requires PANYNJ to use certain products manufactured in US.
Requires DRPA to use certain products manufactured in U.S.
Imposes moratorium on Returning Home New Jersey initiative and prohibits transfers from out-of-State placements under certain conditions.
Requires State to pay its pension contributions quarterly on July 15, October 15, January 15 and April 15.
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.
Implements 2014 constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for certain environmental purposes; revises State's open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs.
Passed the Senate · 4
Clarifies intent of P.L.2007, c.340 regarding NJ's required participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Designates Thomas Alva Edison as State Inventor.
Establishes program allowing certain applicants to perform community service in lieu of paying motor vehicle surcharges.
Prohibits school districts from joining associations which oversee Statewide interscholastic sports unless association limits certain student-athletes who repeat middle school grade to only six consecutive semesters of interscholastic eligibility after en
Out of committee · 17
Authorizes municipalities to impose penalties on creditors that fail to timely remedy code violations of certain properties in foreclosure.*
Establishes "Court Security Enhancement Fund" and increases certain court fees and assessments.*
Provides for presumptive parole; establishes parole compliance credits; requires inmate disciplinary database; bases commutation credits on custodial sentence.*
The "Green Building and Infrastructure Tax Credit Act"; provides tax credits for certain green buildings and wood utility poles.*
Revises law concerning the rights and responsibilities of motor vehicle franchisees and franchisors.**
Authorizes rural electric cooperative and certain municipalities to establish municipal shared services authority.*
Enacts the "Reader Privacy Act."
Establishes the "New Jersey Family Collaborative Law Act." *
Permits the incorporation of psychologists.
"Uniform Trust Code."
Prohibits State from disclosing New Jersey driver's license holders' personal information to other states seeking to issue speed camera or red light camera citations.*
Requires State to include distributed energy resource in certain new State buildings and consider retrofitting certain existing State buildings with distributed energy resource.*
Prohibits existing child care subsidy recipient from being treated as a new applicant for subsidy after moving to a new county of residence.
"Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act of 2015"; authorizes the court to issue protective orders for victims of certain nonconsensual sexual conduct.
Prohibits administration of standardized assessments in kindergarten through second grade.
"New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program Act"; establishes retirement savings program for certain workers.
Reforms annual State revenue estimating and reporting, and executive State budget presentation and revenue certification processes.
In committee · 27
Requires labeling of foods containing genetically modified material.
Makes a $3 million supplemental appropriation for increased Per Capita Library Aid.
Establishes special license plates for honorably discharged veterans.
Requires certain energy tax receipts to be paid directly to municipalities.
Establishes one-year moratorium on replacement of copper-based landline telephone service with non-copper-based landline or wireless telephone service; requires BPU to report to Governor and Legislature.
The "Safe Playing Fields Act"; restricts use of lawn care pesticides at child care centers and certain schools.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as State song.
Removes statute of limitations in certain civil actions for sexual abuse; expands categories of defendants liable in such actions.
Permits persons at racetracks, off-track wagering facilities, and casino simulcasting facilities to place instant racing wagers.
Requires registered qualifying patient's authorized use of medical marijuana to be considered equivalent to use of any other prescribed medication.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Permits manufacturer to sell electric motor vehicles to consumers under certain conditions.
Revises exemption from "unemployment compensation law" for operators of certain motor vehicles.
Provides for use of directed trust to administer particular assets separate from other assets placed in trust; clarifies duty to inform between co-fiduciaries concerning administration of trusts and other governing instruments.
Eliminates restriction on placement of special education students in sectarian schools.
Creates Education Reform Review Task Force; delays certain uses of certain assessments and certain changes to teacher evaluation system.
Restricts use of isolated confinement in correctional facilities.
Requires school districts and charter schools to annually provide to parents or guardians of enrolled students information on certain tests to be administered during the school year.
Allows parent or guardian to exclude student from administration of certain assessments.
Imposes three-year moratorium on use of assessments developed by Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers for certain purposes.
Eliminates requirement for State residency for public officers and employees with limited historic exceptions.
"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.
Permits certain breweries to sell beer at community farm markets.
Allows consumption of food on limited brewery premises.
Authorizes restricted breweries to annually sell up to 1,000 barrels of beer to in-State and out-of-state retailers.
Regulates the authority of the court to make provision for the educational expenses of an unemancipated child in certain instances involving child support.
Requires AG and county prosecutor to remove information from website concerning persons indicted or prosecuted for crimes under certain circumstances.
Filed · 1
Establishes "The Democracy Act" to modify various voter registration and voting procedures.