Bills in the 2008–2009 Session, General Assembly.
Frederick Scalera
Sponsored
Became law9
Directs the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to establish adapted athletic programs.
Requires DHSS and DHS to establish autism and intellectual and other developmental disabilities awareness program for certain first responders. *
Authorizes the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority to undertake an aquarium project within or outside the meadowlands complex.
Requires school security drills to improve emergency preparedness.
Criminalizes certain actions in or on utility company's property.
Changes petition filing date for Board of Fire Commissioners.
Authorizes interception of wire or electronic communications of suspected computer trespasser under certain circumstances.
Revises procedure for reassessment of certain real property by assessor and appeal of assessment by certain property taxpayers.
Permits member of volunteer fire company and emergency response squad to hold municipal elective office.
Vetoed1
Changes the scope of public notification regarding contaminated site remediation.
Passed the General Assembly9
Regulates Internet pharmacies and electronic prescriptions.
Requires weekly reporting of construction and building permit approvals to municipal tax assessor.
Criminalizes certain actions in or on railroad property.
Clarifies immunity from civil liability for volunteers affiliated with Citizen Corps under certain circumstances. **
Prohibits access to police vehicle global positioning system.
Requires sports and entertainment facilities to submit evacuation plan with municipal emergency management coordinator.
Prohibits persons under age 19 from smoking or carrying a lighted tobacco product in an outdoor public place.
Requires three forms of identification when requesting birth certificate.
Permits bid for public works contract to be withdrawn due to error in certain circumstances; permits contracting unit to require financial statement from bidders.
Out of committee13
Allows gross income tax deductions for contributions to the "NJBEST college savings program."
Establishes "New Jersey Fire and EMS Crisis Intervention Services" telephone hotline.
Authorizes municipalities operating under State fiscal year to revert to calendar fiscal year.
Requires reporting of wage records under certain solid waste contracts.
Enhances PFRS accidental death pension benefit for survivors of member serving in nonsupervisory rank.
Grants workers' compensation coverage to volunteer firefighters going to or returning from their stations when called to a fire.
Establishes that board of fire commissioners provide emergency medical services to areas encompassing each fire district.
Permits revenue received by municipality as payments in lieu of taxes to increase cap base upon which permissible increases to final appropriations are calculated under local cap law.
Permits municipalities and fire districts to appoint paid fire chiefs for paid and certain part-paid fire departments; clarifies duties and responsibilities. *
Concerns eligibility for unemployment compensation for certain legal transcribers. *
Allows certain entities to submit emergency plans electronically.
Prohibits persons under age 18 from smoking or carrying a lighted tobacco product in an outdoor public place and establishes enforcement actions.
Appropriates $120,123,420 from various Green Acres funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
In committee21
Concerns workers' compensation for firefighters with cancer.
Permits rehired public employees to purchase PERS credit for three years of layoff period.
Authorizes creation of urban enterprise zones in Garfield, Harrison, Keansburg, and two joint urban enterprise zones, one in Cliffside Park and Fairview, and one in Buena Vista Township and Buena Borough.
Requires New Jersey institutions of higher education to disseminate fire safety information about their facilities to students, parents or guardians, and employees.
Requires public school district to provide paid time off when certain volunteer emergency aid workers are called to alarm during work hours.
Makes temporary insurance and temporary domestic security local cap exceptions permanent; exempts pre-July 7, 2004 contract obligations from current, lower cap.
Changes calculation of average weekly wage for TDI benefits.
Clarifies that certain local administrative agency decisions involving monetary penalties or awards shall be docketed judgments.
Requires certain pools, spas and hot tubs comply with certain barrier requirements.
Clarifies police powers of certain sheriff's officers to enforce motor vehicle and traffic laws.
Provides certified municipal fire inspectors and fire officials having more than four consecutive years service with tenure in office.
Grants tenure or permanent status to certified fire officials and inspectors under certain conditions.
Creates local police officer and paid firefighter emergency registry.
Provides that applicant for business permit as electrical contractor must meet certain requirements.
Requires greater accountability of school district contracted service providers.
Establishes "New Jersey Partnership for Secure Schools Pilot Program" in Department of Education; appropriates $3 million.
Creates motor vehicle offense of smoking in motor vehicle with a child present and dedicates penalties to "Smoking Cessation Fund."
Excludes financial benefit received by volunteer emergency responder from gross income.
Allows PFRS retiree to be reemployed by office of county prosecutor without reenrolling in PFRS.
Authorizes credit unions to serve as depositories of public funds.
Requires DHSS to prepare and distribute signs for display at public beaches advising patrons to protect their skin from sun exposure.
Carried from the Senate
Became law5
Concerns eligibility for unemployment compensation for certain legal transcribers.*
Authorizes municipalities operating under State fiscal year to revert to calendar fiscal year.
Requires reporting of wage records under certain solid waste contracts.
Permits revenue received by municipality as payments in lieu of taxes to increase cap base upon which permissible increases to final appropriations are calculated under local cap law.
Appropriates $120,123,420 from various Green Acres funds for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 21
Extends payment of accidental death benefit in PFRS, SPRS, PERS and TPAF to survivors of certain members of reserve component of Armed Forces and National Guard. *
Extends TDI to provide family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members, newborn and newly adopted children.
Requires prompt parental and staff notification of contaminated soil found on school property. *
Affords employment protection to certain volunteer emergency responders.
Requires training program for and recognizes position of technical assistant to construction code official.
Amends stalking law to broaden protections for victims.
Redefines role and qualifications of purchasing agent in "Local Public Contracts Law."
Concerns chiropractic scope of practice.*
Requires health benefits coverage for certain therapies for the treatment of autism and other developmental disabilities. *
"Self-Directed Support Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Rights Act."
Establishes requirements concerning certain public contracts with private firms.
Establishes a "Silver Alert System." *
The "Permit Extension Act of 2008."
Prohibits sale and distribution of novelty lighters. *
Adds non-voting member to NJT board.
Provides certain law enforcement officers and firefighters regain pay status when appeals of termination are not resolved within 180 days.
The "New Jersey Residential Mortgage Lending Act"; concerns certain licensed mortgage and consumer lending practices, supervision and enforcement.
The "Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009," authorizes bonds for $400 million; appropriates $5,000. **
Permits adult with an autism spectrum disorder to voluntarily register with the State registry of reported diagnoses in children.
Clarifies provisions of "Law Against Discrimination" concerning persons with an autism spectrum disorder.
Establishes New Jersey Special Education and Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force.
Vetoed · 1
Extends requirement of wastewater management planning agencies to establish or update wastewater management plans, and extends validity of sewer service areas and wastewater service areas, until April 7, 2011. *
Passed the General Assembly · 17
Permits certain members of Junior Firemen's Auxiliaries to perform non-hazardous support duties at fire sites.
The "Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act."
Creates offense of impairing communications, which would constitute domestic violence in certain circumstances. *
Requires building materials dealer to provide uniquely identified delivery ticket to consumer.
Establishes innovation zone program to stimulate technology industry clusters around New Jersey's research universities, colleges or research hospitals.
Allows State or State authority to terminate construction contract upon transfer of contractor's ownership or control; requires advance approval of subcontractor changes.
The "Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2008." *
Prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging, and requires companies offering text messaging services to allow their customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages. *
Requires certain elected officials and appointed officers eligible for dual health benefits coverage to choose coverage by one public entity. *
Provides for Autism Advocate in Division of Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled. *
Requires DHSS to establish "New Jersey Autism Website."
Requires Commissioner of Human Services to create identification card for use by persons with autism.
Provides that reports and publications produced by State be primarily available on Internet, provides for notice of availability of reports and publications.
Permits State aid to fund start-up costs for local shared services projects.
Allows bureau chief to assess civil penalty for certain violations of "Uniform Securities Law (1997)."
Permits sheriffs, local police, and county corrections facilities to hire certain laid off officers without utilizing certain Civil Service lists. *
Expedites payment of PFRS accidental death benefit.
Out of committee · 26
Revises law permitting law enforcement agencies to charge additional fees for certain copies of motor vehicle accident reports; replaces exemption for in-person request with exemption for legally affected parties.
Raises age requirement of compulsory school attendance from 16 to 18 years old. *
Provides for allocation of $25 million from available balances from societal benefits charge revenues for utility assistance grants for qualified households. **
Creates a credit card do-not-solicit list. *
Consumer Electronics Warranty Lemon Law.
Concerns firefighter training. *
Concerns unwanted delivery of newspapers.
Imposes conditions on drivers approaching stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks or highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights.
Requires DHSS to report certain patient safety indicators on a hospital by hospital basis and prohibits hospitals from charging for certain medical errors. *
"Grace's Law;" requires health insurers, State Health Benefits Program and NJ FamilyCare to provide coverage for hearing aids for covered persons 15 and younger.
Permits water supply service and sewerage service sub-metering in multi-family dwellings to promote water conservation. *
Authorizes enhancement of State Uniform Construction Code's energy subcode based on anticipated energy savings; provides down payment assistance to certain purchasers of homes meeting enhanced energy subcode requirements.
Enacts the "Jessica Lunsford Act;" increases sentences for sex offenders and persons who harbor them.
Provides surviving spouses of certain fire and police personnel who die in line of duty with workers' compensation for entire period of survivorship.
Exempts experienced firefighters from certification requirement.
Revises deadline for selection of delegates for annual convention of New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
Requires Office of Emergency Management to maintain directory of emergency supplies.
Provides manufacturers a single sales fraction corporation business tax income allocation formula.
Designates bridge carrying State Highway Route No. 3 over the Passaic River between the Borough of Rutherford and the City of Clifton as the "Chaplain Charles J. Watters Memorial Bridge."
Upgrades offense of harassment under certain circumstances.
Requires residential mortgage lenders to provide debtors with certain information about curing default prior to initiation of mortgage foreclosure action.
Implements recommendations of the Assembly Coastal New Jersey Evacuation Task Force.
Appropriates $19,919,700 from various Green Acres funds for grants to certain nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Concerns collection of surplus lines premiums receipts tax dedicated to firemen's relief fund.
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects.
Makes emergency medical technician certification valid for five years.
In committee · 81
Provides certain law enforcement officers and firefighters cannot be suspended without pay for more than 120 calendar days.
Requires the State to provide State aid for public school adult high school programs.
Reduces years of law enforcement experience required for certain law enforcement officers to establish right to carry a firearm.
Provides tuition-free enrollment at New Jersey public colleges to certain members of the State Police.
Allows gross income tax credit for unreimbursed hearing aid expenses.
"Group Home Fire Safety Act."
"Steven's Law;" prohibits use of non-wood bats in certain organized games.
Includes local emergency management volunteers in Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program.
Allows a gross income tax credit for textbook purchases by full-time undergraduate students at four year institutions of higher education, county colleges and accredited post-secondary schools in New Jersey.
Prohibits certain sex offenders from selling from ice cream trucks.
"The Domestic Violence and Workforce Development Initiative."
Creates the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act" to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Creates Bergen County Transportation Trust Fund.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Establishes school property tax freeze program for resident homeowners age 65 or older and disabled homeowners.
Increases maximum LOSAP contributions and prospectively changes certain vesting requirements.
Requires cigarette receptacles to be placed at entrances of buildings in which smoking is prohibited.
Requires forfeiture of public office upon conviction of fourth degree crime or higher; disqualifies person from future office upon conviction of fourth degree crime or higher or conviction of crime involving dishonesty.
Requires annual review of all released sex offenders to determine if they were registered and tiered.
Defines "mobile home park" as "multiple dwelling" for inspection purposes.
Requires emergency first aid and first responder retraining for local law enforcement officers; establishes a "duty to act" in emergency situations for on-duty local law enforcement officers.
Requires written security plan when school is polling place and open to students; provides that schools may be used as polling places only under certain circumstances; makes an appropriation.
Directs Commissioner of Community Affairs to promulgate certain fire safety regulations concerning furnishings purchased by public and independent institutions of higher education.
Provides for accidental disability retirement for certain PFRS members who participate in off-duty firefighting activities in a municipality other than the one in which they are employed.
Establishes "The Prosecutorial Cost Relief Pilot Program Act of 2005."
Provides for school and medical family leave.
Concerns subcontracting agreements entered into by public school districts and higher education institutions.
Directs the State Lottery Commission to establish video lottery at not more than three horse racetracks; provides for NJ Casino Control Commission and NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement oversight.
Permits State Lottery Commission to authorize 5,000 video lottery terminals at Meadowlands horse racetrack; preserves Casino Revenue Fund at FY2005 level; provides for benefits to horse racing industry.
Establishes limits on resident's hours in hospitals.
Requires that chiropractic physicians, podiatric physicians, allopathic physicians, and osteopathic physicians be reimbursed at same rate as other health care providers under various health and accident plans.
Requires health benefits coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances and provides reimbursement therefor.
Requires costs of contract for construction be revealed to municipal construction office for construction permit.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for the Meadowlands Conservation Trust.
Appropriates $6.2 million to DCA for payment to NJHMDC intermunicipal account.
Reimburses NJHMDC municipalities for adjustment payments made into intermunicipal account from Highlands Protection Fund.
"New Jersey Health Information Technology Act"; establishes New Jersey Health Information Technology Commission and Office for e-HIT, and provides for Statewide health information technology plan.
Bars sales of aerosol dusters to persons under the age of 18.
Establishes New Jersey Rx Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Requires appointing authority to perform criminal history record background check on applicant or employee for employment, appointment, retention or promotion in a position designated with a domestic security classification.
Requires that public officers or public employees convicted of crimes involving their office or employment be sentenced to mandatory prison terms and forfeit pension benefits.
Authorizes civil action for certain economic damages against owner or keeper of pet animal that injures or kills another person's pet animal.
Increases fees and penalties under the "Explosives Act."
Expands offense of computer criminal activity to include accessing computer data for an unlawful purpose by means of a knowing misrepresentation as to identity of person requesting information.
Establishes criminal penalties for failure to pay the minimum wage.
Provides non-forfeitable right to post-retirement medical benefits provided by law to certain public employees with 25 years of service.
Provides for civil and criminal penalties for giving false information pertaining to violations of environmental laws.
Establishes $2 surcharge upon building permits for payments to Community Health Law Project.
Revises "New Jersey Money Transmitters Act"; provides consumer protections; increases reporting and record keeping requirements.
Provides that unused State real property will be offered for sale after three years.
Establishes school chemical management program; appropriates $90,000.
Mandates basic training for certain newly-appointed entry-level firefighters and supervisory training for full-time firefighters promoted to certain positions.
Requires all State firefighter training to be accredited.
Prohibits sale or distribution of computer software under certain circumstances.
Requires Police Training Commission to develop accelerated training course for certain corrections officers.
The "Toxic-free Children's Products Act."
Expands the Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduates.
Requires health insurance carriers to use standard explanation of benefits form.
Allows PFRS members hired prior to October 1, 1993 to serve until age 68 or 20 years of service, whichever comes first.
Requires nursing homes and ambulatory surgical facilities to implement infection prevention programs.
Increases the application fee and provides for an admission fee to pre-trial intervention; dedicates fee increase for victim services.
Permits advertising on exterior of school buses.
Establishes special license plate for fire police officers.
Provides for reciprocity of certain out-of-State EMT certification.
Prohibits State agencies from posting emergency medical technicians' personal information on web sites.
Exempts New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority projects from Statewide non-residential development fee.
Provides prescriber or health care facility with discretion to number prescription blank forms consecutively.
Designates unmarried ex-spouse of marriage of 25 or more years as the widow or widower eligible for PFRS pension.
Removes confidential employee status of certain Casino Control Commission employees.
Includes reverse rate evasion as form of insurance fraud and provides for civil and criminal penalties.
Requires each county to establish and maintain veterans service office.
Disqualifies member of board of education for conviction of certain crimes and requires member to undergo criminal history background investigation.
Prohibits certain sales of alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of schools or religious institutions.
Requires mandatory registration of family day care providers.
Provides that person owning or controlling premises not liable for raffles law violation occurring without person's knowledge.
Establishes pilot program in DOC for detection and location of cerain wireless communications devices.
Requires Commissioner of Corrections to establish program to implement technology to block cellular telephone equipment transmissions that originate from, or terminate within, State correctional facilities.
Restructures ticket sales law.
Extends requirement of wastewater management planning agencies to establish or update wastewater management plans, and extends validity of sewer service areas and wastewater service areas, until April 7, 2011.
Modifies rule governing decisions under the "Municipal Land Use Law;" requires economic impact analysis by EDA.
Provides for annual appropriation to NJ Sports and Exposition Authority of 50 percent of revenue from sales tax on admissions to and sales at new Meadowlands stadium to fund debt service, maintenance, repair, and replacement.