Bills in the 2004–2005 Session, General Assembly.
Wilfredo Caraballo
Sponsored
Became law7
Permits voter to declare party affiliation on voter registration form. *
Restores Department of the Public Advocate as principal department in Executive Branch. **
Provides that public school pupils may choose not to participate in certain experiments involving animals and requires schools to provide alternative education projects.
Changes liability of underground facility operators with respect to certain provisions of the "Underground Facility Protection Act."
Changes the phase-out schedule of the transitional energy facility assessment unit rate surcharges.
Imposes a fee on mobile telecommunications and telephone exchange customers for funding certain costs of the 9-1-1 system and emergency response. *
Makes FY2006 supplemental General Fund appropriations of $4 million to DHS for home heating assistance and $9 million to Treasury for energy assistance programs. *
Passed the General Assembly3
Clarifies that advertisements by licensed professionals are subject to the Consumer Fraud Act.
Expands eligibility for special automobile insurance policies.
"New Jersey Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act."
Out of committee11
Prohibits veterinarians from restricting pet owners choice of specialist veterinarian.
Makes right turn on red optional rather than mandatory.
Authorizes actions for damages for computer embezzlement.
Establishes three-year demonstration "Senior Citizen Housing and Health Screening Center Program" in DHSS. *
Authorizes imposition of additional fines for overcrowding.*
Concerns overpayments to public utilities.
Implements portions of federal "Help America Vote Act of 2002."
Permits tenants in rentals premises to keep certain pet animals.
Increases penalties for natural gas pipeline safety violations.
Repeals local parking and payroll tax sunset provisions and "Revaluation Relief Act of 1999."
Regulates certain rental-purchase agreements.
In committee38
Requires registration for sex offense convictions in certain foreign countries.
Provides for reestablishment of local school board six months after creation of State-operated school district.
Authorizes municipalities to establish commercial incentive zones and sharing of retail sales tax proceeds therein.
Repeals New Jersey's no-fault automobile insurance law and related acts.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for hospice and palliative care programs.
Establishes task force to investigate the Farmland Assessment Act.
Provides that certain young persons are not liable for certain debts.
Creates strict liability and criminal sanctions for owners of certain trucks involved in certain fatal crashes.
Requires semi-annual safety inspections of certain trucks.
Abolishes the death penalty in New Jersey.
Repeals law enforcement powers of societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and requires State to provide support to municipalities and counties in administering and enforcing animal control, animal welfare, and animal cruelty laws.
"Sports and Entertainment District Financing Act."
Provides State in lieu aid to municipalities for certain tax-exempt group homes.
Provides for expungement of certain records of victims of identity theft.
Authorizes local governments to finance animal shelter and care facilities operated by nonprofit organizations.
Increases cable television franchise fees.
Permits immediate expungement of court records where the person is acquitted or discharged or where the charges have been dismissed.
Establishes a gross income tax credit for enrollment at a New Jersey college or university.
Requires court, prior to granting a domestic violence victim's application to dissolve restraining order, to make a finding that domestic violence victim was not subject to coercion.
Modifies elements of the crime of stalking.
Prohibits use of credit information by property-casualty insurers in formulating underwriting rules.
"The New Jersey Living Wage Act"; requires businesses receiving certain public benefits to pay employees at least $6.50 per hour.
Establishes civil commitment procedure for violent predators.
Permits sentencing as repeat sex offender if adult defendant had been previously adjudicated delinquent as a juvenile for a sex offense.
Requires readings at two separate meetings before final passage of a policy by a board of education.
Requires public school districts to post policy manuals on internet; requires Department of Education to make internet server available to districts for posting of policy manuals.
Requires boards of education to permit public participation at board meetings.
Permits public school districts to publish on internet certain notices which they are currently required to publish in newspaper.
Establishes $2 surcharge upon building permits for payments to Community Health Law Project.
Provides State aid to Abbott district charter school students to reach 90% of maximum T&E amount.
Repeals the death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without eligibility for parole in certain circumstances.
Eliminates certain penalties for drug offenses in school zones and public areas.
Requires individual to be at least 21 years of age to enter into contract for the use of a credit card under certain circumstances.
Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from selling or leasing paging devices and celluar telephones to individuals under 21 years of age under certain circumstances.
Directs the preparation of fiscal note for legislation which changes criminal penalties.
Authorizes access to abandoned properties by electric and gas public utilities to disconnect utility service.
Authorizes a Statewide franchise for certain providers of cable television service.
"Access to Medical Research Act;" authorizes certain persons to give informed consent for medical research if subject of research is unable to give consent.
Carried from the Senate
Became law3
Implements portions of federal "Help America Vote Act of 2002."
Repeals local parking and payroll tax sunset provisions and "Revaluation Relief Act of 1999."
Requires DHSS to establish special Medicaid admission criteria for long-term care facilities that serve HIV/AIDS patients.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 13
"New Jersey Medical Care Access and Responsibility and Patients First Act."
Increases homestead rebates for certain homestead owners, folds NJ SAVER rebates into the Homestead Rebate program and increases gross income tax rate for taxpayers with taxable income over $500,000 and temporarily adjusts withholding tax.
Establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for certain products.
Establishes "Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative" in Office on Minority and Multicultural Health. *
Prohibits campaign contributions by business entities seeking or holding State contracts in certain circumstances.
Establishes the "New Jersey Civil Rights Act."
Revises charity care distribution formula.
Establishes State rental assistance program patterned after federal section 8 program; permits allocation of funds under the Fair Housing Act to program as permitted purpose. *
Creates Health Enterprise Zones in certain municipalities to encourage establishment of certain primary care practices in medically underserved areas.
Limits the corporation business tax application of net operating losses to 50% of taxable income for tax years 2004 and 2005.
Decouples corporation business tax and gross income tax from changes in federal depreciation and certain expensing; provides incentives for business relocation and retention. *
Provides for appointment of a BPU Business Ombudsman to assist businesses with energy issues. *
Requires health insurers and SHBP providing dependent coverage to provide for election of coverage by certain dependents until their 30th birthday. *
Passed the General Assembly · 14
Makes changes in Primary Care Physician and Dentist Loan Redemption Program.
Prohibits public colleges from charging tuition to students who are parents, spouses or children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or in Operation Iraqi Freedom. *
Incorporates federal standards governing sale and transfer of firearms to aliens and non-residents. *
Makes supplemental appropriation of $95,000 for FY 2004 to Kean University to fund the Wynona M. Lipman Ethnic Studies Center. *
Establishes the New Jersey-Africa Commission.
"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.
Establishes Inmate Vocational Training Study Commission.
Provides for plaque in State House to honor Hutchins F. Inge, first African-American State Senator.
"Bloodborne Disease Harm Reduction Act"; permits establishment of sterile syringe paccess programs, appropriates $10,000,000. *
Permits limited pharmacy sales of syringes and needles without prescription.
Makes temporary insurance and temporary domestic security local cap exceptions permanent; exempts pre-July 7, 2004 contract obligations from current, lower cap. ***
The "Health Insurance Affordability and Accessibility Reform Act."
Exempts members of fraternal benefit societies from insurance producer licensing requirements in certain circumstances.
Concerns tax preparation services for certain clients.
Out of committee · 27
Establishes "Commission to Examine Strategies for Strengthening Familial Bond Between Children and Incarcerated Parents."
Requires insurers that provide outpatient prescription drug benefits and State Health Benefits Program to cover costs of prescription female contraceptives. *
Establishes a program to provide college scholarships to the parent, spouses and children of those killed, missing in action or disabled in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. *
Authorizes court to refrain from imposing driver's license suspension on defendant convicted of CDS offense if compelling circumstances exist.
Establishes Inmate Education and Vocational Training Study Commission.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to Community Food Pantry Fund.
Provides for re-enrollment right or refund of fees for students who are called to active duty for certain military operations. *
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Excludes housing and subsistence allowances of members of active and reserve components of U.S. Armed Forces, and of National Guard members on State active duty, from taxable gross income. *
Establishes "Alan M. Augustine Colorectal Cancer Research Fund"; appropriates $100,000. *
Revises pilotage laws.
Requires NJT to install mile markers and develop emergency response access plan for railroad lines.
Establishes "The Prosecutorial Cost Relief Pilot Program Act of 2005." **
Makes various revisions to the "New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002."
Establishes "New Jersey Express Enrollment for Children's Health Care Coverage" pilot program; appropriates $90,000. *
Appropriates $28,027,261,000 in State funds and $9,151,273 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2004-2005.
Establishes pilot program in DOE to provide laptop computers and support services to pupils and teachers in public school districts.
Credits coverage under Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare towards employer's minimum participation rate under NJ Small Employer Health Benefits Program.
Supplemental appropriation of $4,998,581 to DHSS for AIDS Drug Distribution Program and other AIDS services.
"Family Health Care Coverage Act"; reestablishes NJ FamilyCare Program, expands eligibility for Medicaid program for parents and adults without dependent children and provides for pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates for GA program. *
Requires DHSS to establish special Medicaid admission criteria for long-term care facilities that serve HIV/AIDS patients.
Increases the minimum wage; creates New Jersey Minimum Wage Advisory Commission.
"New Jersey Advance Directives for Mental Health Care Act."
Lowers the minimum full-time jobs requirement for business relocation and retention tax credits.
Establishes the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund in the NJHMFA to finance special needs housing projects through bond proceeds issued by the NJEDA; designated the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund Act.
Revises criteria for placing juveniles in detention.
Establishes NJ STARS II Program for NJ STARS scholars who advance to a New Jersey four-year public institution of higher education; appropriates $1,000,000 to Higher Education Student Assistant Authority. *
In committee · 50
Permits municipality to enact ordinance to curb gang related loitering and criminal activity.
Eliminates mandatory license suspension for nonpayment of insurance surcharge; authorizes payment options.
Establishes procedures for court and DYFS to determine safety of minor child whose child's caretaker is incarcerated.
Repeals limit on increase in cash assistance benefits as the result of the birth of a child under Work First New Jersey program.
Grants paid leave for certain firefighters who are affiliates of certain Black or Hispanic firefighters' associations to attend State or national conventions.
Supplemental appropriation of $2 million to DHSS to expand the Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Adult Day Care Center Program.
Establishes certain minimum levels for expenditures of dedicated open space monies for projects in urban areas and for recreation projects Statewide.
Provides for receipt for voter at primary or general election; allows receipt to be proof of eligibility to vote in subsequent election; provides State reimbursement.
Supplemental appropriation for $250,000 to DHS for a grant to the New Jersey 2-1-1 Partnership.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Requires fee-for-service prescription drug benefits for SSI recipients under Medicaid.
Enacts the "New Jersey Parentage Act of 2003."
Revises laws limiting access to sterile syringes and hypodermic needles to prevent spread of blood-borne diseases.
Increases public members on New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.
Establishes hiring preference for children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty seeking appointment to municipal police forces.
Provides that the State shall pay health insurance premiums for survivors of certain police officers in PERS.
Establishes Institute of Law and Mental Health; appropriates $95,000.
Establishes Commission on Juvenile Involvement in Gangs; appropriates $95,000.
Permits persons convicted of certain third degree offenses to be employed by a school district or a DOE supervised entity after proving rehabilitation.
Creates crime of committing offense in senior citizen zone.
Extends long-term foster care until the age of 21.
Supplemental appropriation of $1,000,000 to DHSS for grant to North Jersey Community Research Initiative.
Increases PFRS disability, accidental death and special retirement benefits.
Makes various changes to cable television franchise fee.
Requires certain State actions before using general coefficient of deviation to mandate municipal revaluation.
Requires State reimbursement for municipal cost of tax map revision after revaluation in certain circumstances.
Permits person with criminal record to obtain certain employment if disqualifying offense was committed more than 10 years ago.
Provides for enrollment in PERS of certain employees of the City of Newark.
"New Jersey Medical Care Access and Responsibility and Patients First Act."
Makes certain reforms in the process of estimating and certifying State revenues for the annual State budget.
Requires two-way communications equipment on school buses.
Requires certain Internet operators to remove defamatory materials and to disclose account information to defamed individuals.
Establishes certain penalties for transmission of unsolicited commercial electronic mail.
Credits in Prosecutors Part at no cost prior regular PERS service of county first assistant prosecutors.
Establishes the Violence-Free Initiative Program in the Department of State.
Requires drug and alcohol testing of adult inmates within 72 hours prior to furlough, work release or similar programs under certain conditions.
Exempts certain persons enrolled in public institutions of higher education from payment of undergraduate tuition at nonresident rates.
Concerns standards for the groundwater remediation of contaminated sites.
Requires additional consumer protections in health club services contracts.
Requires retail food establishments to provide certain nutritional information for food or beverage items sold to its customers.
Modifies powers of HMFA and New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (NJRA).
The "New Jersey Spam Deterrence Act."
Establishes Office of Inmate Advocacy in the Office of the Public Defender.
Provides DEP commissioner with veto authority over all hunts.
Allows access to housing, public facilities and transportation for certain working dogs, provides penalties for violation.
Revises the eligibility criteria under the State earned income tax credit to equal the eligibility criteria of the federal earned income tax credit.
Requires the expungement of certain moving violations after three years.
Allows judge to admit evidence of prior sexual offenses in current sexual offense actions.
Extends victim counselor's privilege to include statements made during certain interviews of victim.
Prohibits investment of certain public funds in financial institutions located in Delaware if that state does not amend its permitting laws to conform to the Compact of 1905.