Bills in the 2010–2011 Session, General Assembly.
Caroline Casagrande
Sponsored
Passed the General Assembly1
Requires investigating law enforcement officer to contact next of kin of unconscious motor vehicle accident victim who has been transported to hospital emergency room.
Out of committee3
Provides for certain requirements concerning Independent Health Care Appeals Program.
Appropriates $3.6 million from the Clean Waters Fund for sewerage infrastructure improvements at the former Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital.
Allows Eatontown, Oceanport, and Tinton Falls mayors to designate council member to represent them as members of Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority.
In committee80
Establishes the "Corrupt Gains Restitution Act."
Eliminates COAH requirement that municipality obtain initial plan endorsement from the State Planning Commission to retain substantive certification.
Permits regional contribution agreements through COAH bank; permits units transferred to be counted toward recipient municipality's fair share obligation.
Limits fair share affordable housing obligation in planning areas 4 and 5.
Requires State Treasurer to post information about State contracts for $17,500 or more on special website.
Extends textbook sharing program to include all school equipment.
Reduces number of signatures required on petition to recall elected official.
Reduces number of paid holidays from 13 to 10 for all State and local government employees.
Establishes limits for certain damages in medical malpractice actions.
Imposes new criteria of $18,000 compensation and 30 hours weekly for TPAF and PERS membership as well as for TPAF and PERS credit after break in service.
Limits tuition increase in district sending-receiving relationships to change in State aid and tax levy of sending school district.
Makes it a crime to sell or possess products or materials designed to alter firearms to look like toy guns.
Subjects certain shared service agreements to review of Attorney General; requires Division of Local Government Services to provide assistance with shared service agreements.
Requires labeling of foods produced from cloned animals.
Prohibits public employers from reimbursing tuition or awarding promotions or compensation based on degrees or certifications obtained from unaccredited institutions.
Revises the law concerning hazing; upgrades criminal penalties, provides certain immunities, creates civil offense and requires written policies.
Provides full forfeiture of pension of elected or appointed official convicted of any crime touching office.
Prohibits persons violating animal cruelty law from owning, keeping, or harboring animals; requires DHSS establish and maintain website list of such persons.
Allows only one PERS-covered position for PERS membership, contributions and service credit; provides for PERS designation of maximum compensation position among multiple positions held.
Modifies tax levy growth limitation for certain school districts in sending-receiving relationships.
Amends the "Public Corruption Profiteering Penalty Act."
Concerns unemployment benefits and work stoppages.
Requires environmental sustainability plan for State House Complex.
Excludes certain contributions to deferred compensation plans and provides deduction for certain individual retirement savings under the gross income tax.
Creates TPAF and PERS new membership eligibility criteria of 20 or more hours weekly.
Allows gross income tax credit for certain contributions to New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST) Program and to certain other federally qualified tuition savings programs.
Exempts from sales tax for two years certain hybrid and highly fuel efficient vehicles and energy efficient appliances.
"Tara's Law"; Establishes registry of offending community care residence providers and requires written monthly case manager reports of individuals with developmental disabilities residing in community care residences.
Provides State Comptroller with express authority to engage certified public accountants as independent contractors on contingency fee basis.
Authorizes creation of memorial license plates for immediate family members of September 11 victims.
Establishes priority for certain municipalities, counties, and non-profit organizations to purchase State surplus real property prior to public auction; requires State to follow Green Acres fair market valuation process.
Requires health care representative to make health care decisions for incapacitated patient in accordance with patient's religious beliefs.
Prohibits use of "build-out" approach to determine fair share of affordable housing need in given region.
Changes date by which mail-in ballots are transmitted to mail-in and overseas voters from the 40th to the 45th day before an election.
Prohibits payment of temporary disability benefits to incarcerated individuals.
Requires State Treasurer to issue cost benefit analysis and security report for conversion of military housing to civilian housing at Earle Naval Weapons Station and places moratorium on issuance of certain State permits and plan approvals.
Requires accident and injury data in NJ Transit annual report.
Prohibits termination of certain telephone service.
Standardizes redemption of unused sick and vacation leave by active local government employees.
Reduces amount of Special Municipal Aid and extraordinary aid awarded to municipalities that have not set limits on the amount of supplemental compensation paid to employees for unused sick and vacation leave.
Regulates the awarding and use of compensatory time granted to local government employees.
Requires certain political subdivisions to grant employees only those holidays granted to State employees and standardizes amount of paid vacation and sick leave granted to employees of certain political subdivisions.
Limits amount of compensation which may be paid by certain political subdivisions to their employees upon their resignation, retirement, termination, or other separation from employment.
Prohibits certain political subdivisions from awarding longevity-based benefits to their employees.
Prohibits annual bonuses for perfect attendance and the non-use of sick leave.
Prohibits terminal leave compensation for local government employees.
Prohibits additional compensation for on-call time.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in companies with ties to terrorists.
Exempts child care centers operating in public schools from certain environmental review licensing requirements.
Requires weekly update of known contaminated site database.
Establishes penalty for suspension, by bus operator under contract with NJ Transit, of peak hour regular route service.
Establishes NJ Task Force on Records Privacy.
Penalizes permittees who acquire construction permits and certificates of occupancy by illegally influencing the permit procurement process; requires posting of bonds in certain situations; permits civil fines.
Prohibits member of Legislature from seeking certain grants or loans through annual appropriations act or legislatively-controlled program.
Requires Secretary of State to set standards for certification of electronic voting machines; permits voting machine examiners to request certain information and consults with experts as necessary.
Provides for mandatory life imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault.
Requires COAH to subtract affordable units from municipality's fair share affordable housing obligation to reflect job loss upon closure of federal military installation.
Requires public notification indicating violation of certain motor fuel laws by retail dealer.
Requires disclosure to certain prison guards of AIDS status of inmates.
Requires posting on State and local government websites information concerning assignment and use of vehicles.
Designates Earth Day week each year for special effort to enforce littering laws.
Creates cigar night smoking ban exemption at racetracks and off-track wagering facilities.
Repeals statutory requirement of annual or biennial dog census.
Limits unused sick leave pay and vacation leave carry-forward for school and local employees; permits local unit to pay certain benefits over 10 years; limits sick leave use by public employee before retirement.
Limits certain unused sick leave pay and vacation leave carry-forward for school and local employees; limits sick leave use by new public employees before retirement.
Permits layoff plans as substitute for employment reconciliation plans for joint meetings or shared service agreements under certain circumstances.
Establishes real property assessment demonstration program in Monmouth County.
Imposes mandatory forfeiture of public office, position or employment upon conviction of certain offenses.
Creates pilot program to allow wagering on horse races by means of certain patron-operated terminals.
Requires suspension of payments for unused sick or vacation leave payable to person indicted for criminal offense; requires forfeiture of such payment upon service deemed dishonorable or conviction for crime.
Creates "Green E-ZPass" discounts for certain fuel-efficient vehicles.
Eliminates transfer inheritance taxes on brothers and sisters of a decedent.
Permits New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey to use purse funds from off-track and account wagering for retired race horses and certain stabling costs.
Caps attorney fee awards in actions against public entities.
Upgrades penalties for certain criminal offenses committed against elderly and disabled persons.
Establishes public bidding and contracting procedures for Rutgers, the State University that mirror those in place for the State colleges.
Limits use and supplemental compensation for certain leave.
Requires Director of Division of Taxation to study impact of State business income taxes on business out-migration, business formation, and employment.
Allows gross income tax deduction for expenses associated with enrollment in nonpublic schools.
Provides for regulation of modeling and talent marketing companies.
Carried from the Senate
Became law2
Provides for certain requirements concerning Independent Health Care Appeals Program.
Allows Eatontown, Oceanport, and Tinton Falls mayors to designate council member to represent them as members of Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 11
Prohibits use of wireless telephones or electronic communication devices by operators of public transit vehicles in certain situations. *
Provides for educational stability of children placed in resource family homes and that school district of residence for the child shall be present district of residence of parent or guardian.
Lengthens service life of certain school buses to 15 years.
Reduces 2010 minimum racing dates; makes various changes to breeders' awards during 2010; authorizes certain loans. *
Eliminates various inactive boards, commissions, committees, councils, and task forces.
Prohibits certain private transfer fees and imposes disclosure requirements.
Authorizes exchange wagering on results of in-State and out-of-State horse races through exchange wagering system.
The "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act."
Allows NJSEA to jointly run racetracks; conforms standardbred racing days to off-track and account wagering law; decreases thoroughbred racing days at Momouth Park and Meadowlands to 71 with horsemen's consent.**
"Caylee's Law;" upgrades penalties for failing to report a death; criminalizes failure to report disappearance of child within 24 hours.
Permits wagering at casinos and racetracks on certain professional and collegiate sports or athletic events.
Vetoed · 2
Clarifies trustee's discretionary authority concerning income tax liability.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support NJ SHARES.
Passed the General Assembly · 3
Requires that school districts use a model contract developed by the Commissioner of Education when employing a superintendent of schools.
Replaces plenary winery and farm winery licenses with small winery and wine manufacturing licenses.**
Establishes real property assessment demonstration program.
Out of committee · 17
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" increases sentences for sex offenders and persons who harbor them.
Requires certain conditions be met in order for school districts to provide their employees with tuition assistance for coursework or additional compensation upon acquisition of academic credits or completion of a degree program.
Makes various changes concerning payments to public employees for unused sick leave, sick leave injury in State service, and PERS and TPAF disability retirement.
Changes date for mail-in ballots transmission from 40th to 45th day before an election, with certain exceptions; permits referendum on school levy cap and municipal levy cap to occur on same day. **
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to entities contributing to scholarships for low-income children. *
Limits DEP regulation of medical diagnostic x-ray equipment in facilities performing 750 or fewer x-rays per year.
Designates bridge on Route 36 over Shrewsbury River as "Captain Joseph Azzolina Memorial Bridge."
Increases penalties against Medicaid fraud.
Eliminates requirement for CATV companies to provide advance notification of price decreases.
Permits development of solar and wind facilities and structures on landfills and resource extraction operations under certain circumstances. *
Limits certain unused sick leave pay and vacation leave carry-forward for school and local employees; limits sick leave use by new public employees before retirement.
Decreases annual standardbred race dates to 75 minimum upon consent from Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey; increases to 5% maximum amount of certain purse moneys that may be distributed to aid horsemen.*
The "Safe Playing Fields Act"; restricts use of lawn care pesticides at child care centers, and certain schools, playgrounds, and recreational fields.*
Appropriates $84,495,199 from "2009 Green Acres Fund" and "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Appropriates $39 million from "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund," "2007 Farmland Preservation Fund," and "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" to State Agriculture Development Committee for county planning incentive grants.
Appropriates $23 million from "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" and "Garden State Farmland Preservation Fund" for planning incentive grants to municipalities for farmland preservation purposes.
Extends deadline for licensing of certain off-track wagering facilities that remain to be established.
In committee · 96
Abolishes Council on Affordable Housing for failure to comply with legislative directives.
"Transparency in Government Act;" provides for establishment of State public finance website.
"Transparency in Government Act;" provides for establishment of State public finance website.
Eliminates expansion of preschool education program in "School Funding Reform Act of 2008."
Provides that municipalities with minimum amounts of developable land may file certification with the Council on Affordabe Housing, even if no petition for substantive certification is filed.
Makes elected officials with compensation less than $50,000 ineligible for health care benefits on the 61st day after enactment.
Prohibits campaign contributions by certain individuals, businesses or other organizations that purchase or acquire property involved in eminent domain proceedings.
Adds contact via electronic device to prohibited contact enumerated in permanent restraining orders for convicted stalkers.
Includes limitations on amount of retirement compensation which may be provided by a school board in the employment contracts of superintendents of schools, assistant superintendents of schools, and school business administrators.
Creates e-mail registration requirement for convicted stalkers.
Exempts sales of returnable plastic containers and pallets from sales and use tax.
Eliminates provision that permits current members of Legislature who hold more than one elective public office on February 1, 2008 to continue to do so if service is continuous.
Provides for public comment period at certain sessions of each house of the Legislature.
Criminalizes driving under the influence with person 17 years of age or younger in vehicle.
Increases certain penalties for vehicular homicides involving intoxicated drivers; designated "Josh's and Craig's Law."
Requires notification of rape care advocate under certain circumstances by law enforcement, prosecutors and medical providers.
Requires specific reduction of sulfur content in heating oil, and scheduled increase of blending biofuels therein after July 1, 2011, unless requirements are waived by Governor pursuant to Executive Order.
Removes authority of MVC to increase certain fees; sets certain fees by statute.
Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs.
Establishes penalties for manufacture, purchase or possession of certain keys.
Upgrades lewdness to fourth degree crime if committed in public rest room.
Revises laws governing provision of affordable housing; reestablishes regional contribution agreement as method of meeting affordable housing obligation; repeals Statewide non-residential development fee.
Repeals law providing benefits for family temporary disability leave.
Delays implementation of paid family leave for two years.
Establishes new offenses concerning the unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners.
Provides that tuition assistance or additional compensation for graduate degree provided under employment contracts for certain school district administrators may only be provided if degree is conferred by accredited institution.
Makes various statutory changes to "Child Care Licensing Act."
Regulates assignment and use of State vehicles.
Expands number of safe havens for leaving newborn infants.
Regulates assignment and use of vehicles owned or leased by State authorities.
Decreases BPU membership from five to three members.
Concerns continuing education for dentists.
Increases funding of Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Program.
Establishes 18-month moratorium on promulgation of new administrative rules and issuance of new policy circular letters by State agencies.
Permits municipality to enact ordinance regulating where sex offenders may reside.
Authorizes DOT, NJ Turnpike Authority, and South Jersey Transportation Authority to permit BPU-certified persons to install and maintain solar photovoltaic panels on noise barriers erected on roads and highways.
Allows gross income tax deductions for contributions to the "NJBEST college savings program."
Enhances PFRS accidental death pension benefit for survivors of member serving in nonsupervisory rank.
Requires filing of financial and conflict disclosure statements as condition of development approval.
Prohibits simultaneous holding of certain State, county and municipal elective and appointive positions.
Provides for mandatory imprisonment and forfeiture of retirement benefits for public officers or employees convicted of certain crimes.
Increases enrollment threshold in PERS and TPAF to $10,000; requires assessment of adding annual minimum hour requirement to qualify for service credit.
Requires State Auditor to conduct performance review audit of SHBP at least every three years and to annually conduct limited audit to ensure that only eligible persons are receiving benefits.
Allows pension calculation to be based on compensation increase in excess of actuarially assumed experience only if employer pays unfunded liability.
Restricts use of accumulated sick leave by public employees in year prior to retirement.
Limits payment upon retirement to $10,000 to State and local public officers and employees for accumulated sick leave.
Clarifies that retention of unearned wages by a public servant is theft under certain circumstances.
Requires legislators to designate one covered position of elected office or employment for PERS credit.
Prohibits local government officer or employee who recuses himself from matter in which he has interest from engaging in activity that might be construed as lobbying or advocating for interest.
Permits approval of certain regional contribution agreements through December 31, 2009.
Provides that deed restrictions on affordable housing units are not extinguished by foreclosure proceedings.
Makes members of county boards of taxation ineligible for membership in State-administered retirement system or for health care benefits coverage under plan for public employees.
Provides a gross income tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualified home purchases made by certain first-time homebuyers in the remaining portion of taxable year 2009, taxable year 2010 and taxable year 2011.
Reduces corporation business tax rate and provides an additional rate reduction for three years for taxpayers that relocate corporate headquarters to New Jersey.
Revises Business Employment Incentive Program to spur economic growth.
Eliminates 15% fee charged by cemetery company on transfer of graves, crypts and niches.
Provides for mandatory forfeiture of retirement benefits of elected official convicted of crime involving office held.
"Judy and Nikki's Law"; provides for life imprisonment without parole for persons convicted of murder of a child 16 years of age or younger.
Provides immunity from civil liability to anyone who in good faith uses an automated external defibrillator in an emergency.
Establishes sales tax holiday for certain energy efficient products during third week of April and October.
Prevents managed care plan from denying coverage for maintenance medications for chronic conditions for covered persons solely because of change in health benefits plan or pharmacy benefits manager initiated by employer or carrier.
Authorizes counties to participate in property tax appeals for real property having a value of $10 million or more.
Prohibits first responders from disseminating photographs of accident victims and patients to public without consent of victim or patient.
Consumer Relief Act of 2010; establishes temporary sales and use tax rate reduction periods for sales of certain goods and services.
Requires that SHBP prescription drug plan use bulk purchasing.
Permits State Lottery Commission to authorize video lottery terminals at Meadowlands horse racetrack, subject to voter approval.
Prohibits good faith allegations of child abuse from being used against the accuser in a child custody proceeding; makes it a disorderly persons offense to file a false allegation of child abuse.
Designated "New Jersey Economic Development Promotion Act"; streamlines and reorganizes State economic development statutes in order to promote administrative efficiency.
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.
Calculates future service of active members at 1/60 of final compensation for TPAF and PERS pensions.
Amends Kyleigh's Law to remove requirement that holder of a special learner's permit, examination permit, and probationary driver's license display decal.
Authorizes Commissioner of Education to withhold State aid to school district that fails to address repeat audit findings.
Requires hiring preference for veterans in non-civil service jurisdictions.
Permits layoff plans as substitute for employment reconciliation plans for joint meetings or shared service agreements under certain circumstances.
Authorizes executive county superintendent of schools to require implementation of shared services arrangements and to approve school district collective negotiations agreements prior to execution of agreement.
"Tara's Law"; provides protections for individuals with developmental disabilities residing in community care residences and for investigations of abuse of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Designates "Red Bank Train Station" as "Daniel J. O"Hern Station - Red Bank, New Jersey."
Increases penalties against Medicaid fraud.
Provides criminal penalties for unauthorized use of images or likeness of minors and establishes civil action.
Concerns processing and payment of insurance claims for physical therapy services.
Eliminates one year residency requirement for certain civil action filings.
Repeals "Global Warming Response Act" and related sections of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative implementing law.
Establishes crimes of dog fighting and leader of a dog fighting network; amends RICO to add leader of a dog fighting network.
Requires fire districts, school districts, and county governments to share in burden of property assessment appeal refunds.
Provides for access to adoptee's original birth certificate under certain circumstances.
Establishes task force to study various issues related to improving special education programs and services for public school students.
Repeals early release program for certain inmates established under P.L.2009, c.330.
Reduces period of time that member of Legislature may be absent, without excuse, before member's seat is deemed vacant.
Suspends pension of any retired public employee who resumes public employment with compensation more than $15,000.
Limits compensation provided to presidents of public institutions of higher education.
Extends "whistleblower" protections to employee disclosure of governmental mismanagement, waste and abuse.
Requires reporting of suspected abuse of institutionalized elderly to police and that facility employees receive notice of reporting requirement annually; designated as "Peggy's Law."
Criminalizes participation in criminal street gang.
Prohibits certain drunk driver claims against licensed alcoholic beverage servers.
Permits advertising on exterior of school buses owned by a school bus contractor and requires sharing of the advertising revenue with school districts.
Decriminalizes possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana.
Filed · 1
Appropriates $3.6 million from the Clean Waters Fund for sewerage infrastructure improvements at the former Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital.