Bills in the 2002–2003 Session, General Assembly.
Douglas H. Fisher
Sponsored
Became law2
Requires DOE to coordinate sharing of textbooks between school districts.
Increases criminal and civil penalties for certain animal cruelty offenses; and increases penalty for certain repeat offenders.
Passed the General Assembly1
Excludes housing and subsistence allowances of National Guard members on State active duty from gross income under the gross income tax.
Out of committee5
Eliminates remarriage prohibition for PFRS and SPRS accidental death benefits. *
Appropriates $368,700 to Agricultural Experiment Station for oyster revitalization.
Permits use of hands-free wireless phones in moving vehicles.* *
Allows the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology to realize a return on its investments in science and technology companies.
Authorizes nuclear plant guards to possess certain firearms and ammunition. *
In committee14
Provides additional retirement benefits for certain public employees who retire between July 1, 2002 and October 1, 2002.
Requires HMO's to provide standing referrals for specialists to enrollees with chronic illnesses or conditions.
Provides for third party payment of registered nurse first assistant when insurer covers payment for surgical first assistant services.
Provides for impoundment of uninsured motor vehicles under certain circumstances.
Establishes "Wake Up New Jersey" fire prevention grant program.
Requires that certain information on NJ SAVER, homestead property tax reimbursement and homestead rebate programs be included with property tax bill.
Limits documentary service fees charged by automotive dealers.
Permits municipalities without full-time police forces to appoint Class I Special Law Enforcement Officers.
Establishes certain Dept. of Agriculture programs to promote marketing opportunities for farmers.
Amends "Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act" to address terrorist and criminal acts.
Prohibits the receipt of certain honoraria by members of the Legislature.
Prohibits certain elected officials from receiving dual health benefit coverage.
Permits expanded use of farm vehicles.
Restores funding to statutory level for Homestead Property Tax Reimbursement program.
Filed1
Provides immunity to public entities and public employees for acquiring, stockpiling, distributing and dispensing drugs and vaccines which mitigate effects of exposure to nuclear, chemical and biological agents.
Carried from the Senate
Became law4
Permits use of hands-free wireless phones in moving vehicles. *
Eliminates remarriage prohibition for PFRS and SPRS accidental death benefits. *
Authorizes nuclear plant guards to possess certain firearms and ammunition.
Provides immunity to public entities and public employees for acquiring, stockpiling, distributing and dispensing drugs and vaccines which mitigate effects of exposure to nuclear, chemical and biological agents.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 50
"New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002."
Prohibits use of cell phone while driving school bus.
Concerns errors in estimating income for certain programs for aged and disabled persons.
Prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls to certain customers.
Establishes the Amistad Commission to coordinate educational and other programs on slavery and African-American history.
Requires meningococcal vaccinations for new residential students at four-year institutions of higher education. *
Increases jail time for repeat offenders who drive while licenses revoked.
Increases penalties for violations of certain shellfish harvest and marine fisheries laws. *
Doubles the drug enforcement and demand reduction fines imposed for the possession or distribution of certain club drugs. *
Concerns public works contracts and project labor agreements with labor organizations. *
Appropriates $27,242,400 in federal funds for bioterrorism preparedness.
Requires DHSS to establish list of animal control officers found guilty of or liable for violating any animal cruelty law; and prohibits persons on that list from being animal control officers for a municipality. *
Revises Clean Communities Program and makes available recycling grants to counties and municipalities. *
Increases public members on New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.
Revises process for governmental energy aggregation. **
Concerns public works contractor registration.
Requires persons convicted of certain child pornography crimes to register under Megan's Law.
Requires persons convicted of manufacturing or selling child pornography to register under Megan's Law.
Expands redevelopment agreement program to provide incentives for residential development of contaminated sites.
Authorizes Adjutant General to issue service medal to commemorate 50th anniversary of ending of Korean War; appropriates $5,000.
Adds two members chosen by public employees' labor organizations to State Health Benefits Commission.
Makes changes in the law concerning the cleanup of hazardous substances.
Establishes "Autism Medical Research and Treatment Fund." *
Expands list of crimes for which blood samples are collected for purposes of DNA testing.
Establishes corporation business tax credit for certain remediation costs.
Allows groups authorized to conduct bingo or raffles to use proceeds for capital improvements in certain instances.
Upgrades crime of luring or enticing a child into motor vehicle, structure or isolated area to a crime of the second degree.
Requires DMVA and DOT to conduct study on feasibility of integrating Civil Air Patrol in State's homeland security initiatives. *
Provides criminal penalties for unlawful solid waste disposal.
Requires mortgage lenders to include list of financial assistance programs with notice of intention to foreclose.
Upgrades motor vehicle and criminal penalties for leaving the scene of an accident.
Makes it an unlawful practice for retailers to sell or install motor vehicle window tinting without first informing customer of State restrictions.
Provides legislative authorization for certain projects of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
Prohibits smoking on school buses, even if students are not present.
Establishes procedures for court and DYFS to determine safety of minor child whose child's caretaker is incarcerated. **
Upgrades penalties for theft of identity and the selling, manufacturing, possessing, or exhibiting of false government documents; allows for civil action for victims of identity theft. *
Adds two members to Brownfields Redevelopment Task Force.
"Michael's Law;" imposes mandatory jail time and rehabilitation for third or subsequent drunk driving offenses. *
Allows school boards to establish 457 deferred compensation plans for employees.
Provides collective negotiation procedures for school employee contracts, prohibits imposition of such contracts.
Establishes the New Jersey Film Production Assistance Program. *
Directs DOC and DHS commissioners to develop regulations addressing unique security concerns posed by civilly committed sexually violent predators.
Clarifies documentary requirement for distinguished service medal for individual who died while on active duty.
Extends eligibility for State veterans' benefits to veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Establishes a minimum per diem base pay of $100 for members of National Guard called to State active duty.
Provides State-paid health care benefits coverage through SHBP for certain National Guard members called to State active duty for 30 days or more.
Establishes right of person engaged in military service for more than 90 days to cancel motor vehicle lease without penalty.
Redirects $325 million in payroll taxes from UI fund to Health Care Subsidy Fund; changes employer UI tax triggers. *
Enhances the New Jersey Business Employment Incentive Program for targeted economic development and provides funding for incentives through New Jersey Economic Development Authority bonds.
Establishes Office of the Child Advocate. **
Passed the General Assembly · 42
Establishes Child Labor Law Enforcement Fund. *
"Nursing Home Patient Protection Act."
Restores Department of the Public Advocate as principal department in Executive Branch. *
Provides for convening of State constitutional convention to reform system of property taxation.
Prohibits the sale of androstenedione to minors.
Provides for posting of radon testing results in public schools.
Requires notification for potential license revocation of child care providers and certain health care facilities.
Prohibits harvest, landing, processing or sale of wild sargassum in NJ.
Adds member to Casino Revenue Fund Advisory Commission.
Upgrades penalty for misusing public utility employee identification badge; establishes penalties for making, selling or possessing simulated public utility employee identification badge.
Creates crime of victimization of senior citizen and person with disability. *
Provides official State recognition of Powhatan Renape Nation, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey, Inc., and Ramapough Mountain Indians as American Indian Tribes for certain purposes. *
Establishes "Commission to Examine Strategies for Strengthening Familial Bond Between Children and Incarcerated Parents."
Establishes the New Jersey-Africa Commission.
Provides appropriations act provision concerning the transportation of school pupils in certain remote schools in certain counties.
Provides that distance learning network aid for public school districts will continue beyond the 2001-2002 school year and establishes technoloy initiative State aid for nonpublic school students. *
Clarifies that school bus for purpose of upgraded penalties in "school zone" criminal drug laws includes any bus owned and operated by board of education or by private contractor.
Permits school bus operator to display "Stop When Red Lights Are Flashing" on rear of bus. *
Prohibits use of social security numbers on deeds and mortgages.
Establishes certain customer protection requirements for cable televison customers.
Prohibits certain uses of State funds by contractors and grantees.
Establishes certain requirements for sale of "E-Z Pass" transponders to nonresidents.
"Kinship Legal Guardianship Notification Act."
Permanently disqualifies certain persons convicted of child endangerment from working with children.
Requires that medical gas cylinders, containers and vessels used in health care facilities be color-coded to identify contents.
Implements procedures to ensure compliance of State agencies with certain set-aside contract requirements.
Prohibits sale or distribution of cigarettes in packs of less than 20.
Directs Adjutant General of DMVA to develop and report plan to provide home-based and outpatient health care to NJ veterans. *
Requires DHSS investigation and provides for receivership and imposition of enforcement remedies of nursing homes under certain circumstances.
Provides for automatic enrollment in PAAD and Senior Gold programs under certain circumstances.
Establishes "New Jersey Task Force on Long-Term Care Quality and Financing." *
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Authorizes a county college board of trustees to grant voting rights to the graduating class representative on the board and requires the board chairman to cast deciding vote in the event of a tie under certain circumstances. *
Provides that cash assistance from DHS kinship care programs shall not be considered income for certain State-funded programs.
Clarifies definition of illegal gambling to address Internet gambling; voids credit card debt incurred through illegal gambling; authorizes State to recover illegal gambling losses. *
Permits appointment of up to four alternate members on municipal zoning boards of adjustment.
Extends military leave benefits for members of the Reserve and National Guard called to federal active duty for extended periods of time.
Provides for re-enrollment right or refund of fees for student who is called to active duty for certain military operations.
Establishes a program to provide college scholarships to the spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. *
Prohibits public colleges from charging tuition and fees to students who are spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or in Operation Iraqi Freedom. *
Increases fairness for bidding on certain public contracts requiring proprietary goods, services, materials, or supplies.
Requires staff members of residential child care facilities to undergo criminal history record background and child abuse record information checks.
Out of committee · 51
Establishes new method of establishing financial liability for patients in psychiatric facilities and eliminates financial liability of certain family members. *
Classifies burglary of a residence as a crime of the second degree.
Appropriates $5,291,621 from "Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund" to provide grants for certain historic preservation projects.
Appropriates $56 million from "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Establishes driving while fatigued as recklessness under vehicular homicide statute.
Creates crime of committing offense in senior citizen zone. *
Revises Clean Communities Program and makes available recycling grants to counties and municipalities.
Requires nursing homes to have defibrillator on site and employee trained to use defibrillator.
Strengthens screening procedures for school bus drivers.
Requires State payment of survivor's pension when volunteer fire fighter or emergency services worker suffers accidental death on duty.*
Establishes annual hunting license for hunting on semiwild and commercial shooting preserves; sets fee therefor. *
Provides early childhood program aid to certain school districts contiguous to Abbott districts.
Provides increased demonstrably effective program aid to school districts contiguous to Abbott districts.
Revises laws concerning siting of low-level radioactive waste disposal facility; repeals parts of the statutory law.
Makes various changes to casino gambling and use of proceeds thereof. *
Requires the Delaware River and Bay Authority to hold hearings prior to increasing tolls, charges or fares, requires submission of yearly reports, declares authority records to be public and requires a limit on authority expenses.
Provides that cases involving funds held by surrogate for benefit of a minor are exempt from child support judgment search requirement.*
Prohibits sale of products containing ephedrine alkaloids to minors under 18 years of age. *
Establishes medical assistance on-line application pilot project in DHS.
Appropriates $40 million from Hazardous Discharge Fund of 1986 to Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund for cleanup of contaminated sites; cancels previous appropriation; replaces canceled appropriation with $40 million from 1996 Environmental Cleanu
Permits municipalities to enact ordinance to hold DUI arrestees in protective custody. *
Provides that disabled students at institutions of higher education are eligible for reasonable substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements.
Provides that State contract involving purchase of intellectual property will include escrow agreement.
Requires reporting by certain persons of attemped or completed suicides by youth and establishes NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council.
Amends "Three Strikes" law to clarify that it applies to crimes committed on separate occasions regardless of the dates of conviction. *
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to Community Food Pantry Fund.
Prohibits advertisements on county and municipal police, first-aid, and fire vehicles.
Disqualifies juvenile delinquents whose offenses involve use or possession of a weapon, explosive or destructive device from obtaining either a firearms purchaser identification card or a permit to purchase a handgun.
Changes certain documentation required for certification as minority or woman's business for certain State programs.
Appropriates $14,548,000 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Concerns burden of proof standards for certain securities violations.
Makes certain reforms in the process of estimating and certifying State revenues for the annual State budget.
Requires DYFS to provide people who make reports of child abuse or neglect to DYFS with written confirmation of report's receipt.
Revises criteria for financing underground storage tank closures, upgrades and remediations.
Revises "lemon law" refund formula for consumers of certain new motor vehicles.
Repeals law creating State poet laureate.
Expands law enforcement powers of certain DEP personnel.
The "New Jersey Freedom to Fish Act."
Provides PFRS members in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.
Requires award of grants to remediate discharges from home heating oil tanks for application filed prior to July 1, 2007.
Establishes organic certification program in Department of Agriculture.
"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. *
Imposes penalty for contributing to high school student-athlete's loss of amateur-athlete status.
Permits a farm income averaging credit under the New Jersey gross income act.
Requires independent contractors to submit to background checks to work within certain industries.
Requires Commissioner of Education to grant an equivalency or waiver under certain conditions.
Establishes the Governor's Annual Award for Outstanding Educational Services Professionals.
Requires certain long-term care facilities to provide training in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
Establishes Task Force on Child Welfare.
Appropriates $38,445,876 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" for farmland preservation purposes.
Appropriates $45,220,823 from "Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund" and certain farmland preservation bond funds for farmland preservation purposes.
In committee · 44
Creates a civil rape shield law.
Authorizes adoption of timed-growth ordinances by municipalities.
Authorizes and directs DEP to implement Phase II of the California Low Emission Vehicle program in the State beginning in calendar year 2006.
Requires licensure of hospital in Union County to provide adult cardiac surgery services.
Provides that the State shall pay health insurance premiums for survivors of certain police officers in PERS.
Directs DHSS to prepare and disseminate informational materials about prescription drug programs for senior citizens and disabled persons.
Prohibits assessment on certain municipalities for State Police patrol services.
Requires criminal background checks of employees of private prisoner transport companies.
Exempts physicians from jury service under certain circumstances.
Requires public notice of completion of cetain DEP environmental studies.
Designates "New Jersey, U.S.A." as State song.
Establishes extended sentences for certain crimes involving eluding a police officer and clarifies elements of eluding aggravated manslaughter.
Provides for maximum rate for transcript fees.
Reduces restoration fees for license suspensions involving one parking ticket.
Establishes Task Force on Adoption Agency Closures.
Increases motor vehicle property damages reporting threshold to over $1,000.
Establishes standards for State and State authority design-build contracts and design-build-operate and maintain contracts.
Establishes procedures for issuance of certain bonds, notes and other obligations.
Requires State and State authorities to report to Legislature on certain contracts; requires State Auditor to review the financing of certain contracts.
Exempts vanpool rentals from domestic security fee imposed under P.L.2002, c.34.
Requires DOBI to provide certain information to pinelands insurers.
"Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance Premium Assistance Act."
Provides additional State school aid to school districts with significant enrollment growth and low per pupil property and income wealth.
Establishes a juror voluntary charitable contribution system.
Clarifies that cruelty to animals includes use of an animal to injure another animal, and provides for criminal and civil penalties for violations thereof.
Requires drug testing of foster parents and DYFS caseworkers.
Protects privacy of an individual's financial information by prohibiting disclosure without the prior informed, affirmative consent of the consumer.
Requires posting of signs near lakes in State parks and forests warning of thin ice.
Requires photographs on identification cards for health care professionals issued by professional licensing boards.
Establishes toll-free hotline to report motorists who litter in New Jersey.
Establishes New Jersey Rx Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Requires child to DYFS caseworker ratio of no greater than 25 to 1.
Establishes in-house counseling services for DYFS employees.
Establishes special license plate supporting after-school programs.
Grants Abbott district status to Salem City School District.
Prohibits the use of concentrated hydrogen fluoride after January 1, 2006.
Establishes the crime of assault by animal.
Permits immediate expungement of court records where the person is acquitted or discharged or where the charges have been dismissed.
Requires installation of locks on underground storage tanks located at gasoline stations.
Provides immunity to charitable organizations for the provision of used prosthetic devices.
Establishes New Jersey Rx Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Requires State to purchase "Jersey Fresh" farm products.
Prohibits public entity from compensating officer or employee who is member of Legislature for time off to attend Legislative meetings.
Appropriates $25,000,000 to restore funding to statutory level for Homestead Property Tax Reimbursement program.
Filed · 2
Permits use of Health Care Subsidy Fund for Medicaid expenses in FY2002; redirects $650,000,000 in payroll taxes from UI fund to Health Care Subsidy Fund; provides extended UI benefits.
Provides that school pupil may not be on board a school bus unless driver is on board.