Bills in the 2002–2003 Session, General Assembly.
Matt Ahearn
Sponsored
Became law1
"New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002."
Passed the General Assembly3
Permits municipalities to make retroactive property tax deduction payments to veterans up to a maximum of $1,000 per veteran.
Extends certain benefits to veterans of Operation "Enduring Freedom".
Revises continuing education requirements for dental hygienists.
Out of committee7
Authorizes payment of benefit by certain sewerage authorities to certain municipalities hosting certain waste treatment facilities.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids for covered children 18 years of age or younger.
Revises property ownership requirements for veterans' property tax deduction and disabled veterans' property tax exemption. *
Establishes New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing.
Establishes publicity program for senior and disabled citizens property tax freeze reimbursement program.
Establishes medical assistance on-line application pilot project in DHS.
Provides that State contract involving purchase of intellectual property will include escrow agreement.
In committee29
Appropriates $1.5 million to DOT to construct sound barriers along Route 208 in Fair Lawn Borough, Bergen County.
Establishes Prostate Cancer Awareness, Education and Research Program in DHSS; appropriates $1 million.
Requires the court to award attorney fees and expert witness fees in certain cases.
Increases civil penalties for certain violations of "New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law."
Makes No Early Release Act applicable to persons convicted of weapons possession for unlawful purpose.
Requires DEP to implement Phase II of California Low Emission Vehicle program in calendar year 2006.
Permits Legislature to void closing of State psychiatric hospital or developmental center.
Prohibits use of credit information by property-casualty insurers in formulating underwriting rules.
Authorizes former mayors and deputy mayors to solemnize marriages.
Establishes disaster needs and volunteer resources database program.
Requires "rounding" of dollar amounts in returns and other forms in determining liability for certain taxes.
Prohibits municipalities from adopting zoning ordinances to prohibit construction or use of antenna structures by federally licensed amateur radio operators.
Appropriates $100,000 to DCA for grant to Fair Lawn Borough for cost of municipal flood management plan.
Authorizes Office of Emergency Management license plates.
Eliminates the industrial arts endorsement to the instructional certificate for public school teachers and replaces it with a technology education endorsement.
Permits municipality to authorize lease of certain real or personal property by resolution.
Bans the sale of hand-held mobile telephones and allows the sale of hands-free mobile telephones.
Extends eligibility for veterans' benefits to veterans of the current war on terrorism, and of any future conflict in which people are inducted into the military through the selective service system.
Permits use of instant runoff voting in balloting for certain local elective public offices.
Requires new voting systems to permit holding of elections featuring instant runoff voting.
Establishes centralized voter registration list; appropriates $5,275,000.
Requires State to purchase services and equipment to implement centralized voter registration list through competitive bidding.
Permits a child who moves out of a school district due to a family crisis to remain enrolled in that district until the end of the school year.
Requires inspection and remediation of mold hazards.
Requires bathrooms of multiple dwellings to be equipped with grab bars.
Establishes civil unions.
Limits corporate power and concerns corporate responsibility.
Prohibits corporations of any kind from engaging in political speech, making expenditures to influence legislation or making campaign contributions.
"The New Jersey Clean and Fair Elections For Legislative Candidates Act;" appropriates $2 million.
Carried from the Senate
Became law1
Establishes New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing. *
Passed the Senate1
Extends certain benefits to veterans of the global war on terror. *
Co-sponsored
Became law · 37
Permits public comment at meetings of municipal governing body.
Reduces blood alcohol level at which a person is considered to be guilty of drunk driving from 0.10% to 0.08%.
Prohibits insurers from discriminating against insureds on the basis of domestic violence.
Concerns errors in estimating income for certain programs for aged and disabled persons.
Requires wanted person check before release or transfer of inmates or suspects. *
Prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls to certain customers.
Extends time to file complaint for drunk driving from 30 to 90 days. *
Requires certain towing operators to accept cash or credit or charge cards for payment of services.
Clarifies responsibility of county to pay burial costs of indigent, unidentified or unclaimed deceased persons.
Provides that marriage license applications and marriage licenses shall not contain information on race.
Authorizes payment of sales taxes by vendors under the sales and use tax and the advertising of "we pay the tax" days.
Requires school districts to adopt harassment and bullying prevention policies.
Concerns public works contracts and project labor agreements with labor organizations. *
Appropriates $27,242,400 in federal funds for bioterrorism preparedness.
Increases public members on New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.
Exempts from New Jersey gross income tax the income of victims who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. *
Requires criminal history record background checks for health care professionals as condition of initial licensure.
Requires DOE to coordinate sharing of textbooks between school districts.
Criminalizes desecration of human remains.
Creates "Statewide Tuition Waiver Program" for certain students under care and custody of DYFS.
Protects certain helping dogs from discrimination.
Authorizes Adjutant General to issue service medal to commemorate 50th anniversary of ending of Korean War; appropriates $5,000.
Establishes "Autism Medical Research and Treatment Fund." *
Makes various changes to tenant security deposit laws.
Allows groups authorized to conduct bingo or raffles to use proceeds for capital improvements in certain instances.
Provides criminal penalties for unlawful solid waste disposal.
Empowers Federal Reserve law enforcement officers to make arrests for certain violations of New Jersey law.
Requires DMVA to prepare report assessing mission of NJ Naval Militia Joint Command.
Provides separate standards for handicapped access in public buildings versus multi-family dwellings.
Establishes procedures for court and DYFS to determine safety of minor child whose child's caretaker is incarcerated. **
"Michael's Law;" imposes mandatory jail time and rehabilitation for third or subsequent drunk driving offenses. *
Establishes the New Jersey Film Production Assistance Program. *
Authorizes borrowing by public school district between June 22 and June 30 of the school budget year in certain circumstances.
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.
Vetoed · 2
Creates study commission on the death penalty. **
Requires release of bid list prior to bid date under "Local Public Contracts Law."
Passed the General Assembly · 56
Establishes Child Labor Law Enforcement Fund. *
Requires HMOs to report number of children screened for lead poisoning under Medicaid program.
Permits municipalities to designate stop or yield intersections on streets under municipal jurisdiction.
The "Pesticide Use Reduction Recognition Act."
Restores Department of the Public Advocate as principal department in Executive Branch. *
Prohibits veterinarians from restricting pet owners choice of specialist veterinarian.
Requires certain information to be included in a retailer's advertisement of merchandise for sale.
Permits municipality to create drug free zone around publicly assisted housing.
Makes theft of E-ZPass transponder a fourth degree crime. *
Regulates certain electronic mail solicitations.
Provides that information about location of a shelter for victims of domestic violence shall not be a public record.
Requires defendants convicted of crime of "leader of firearms trafficking network" to serve 85% of sentence prior to parole eligibility.
Upgrades crime of theft of certain firearms to a crime of the second degree. *
Upgrades crime of leaving the scene of a fatal accident to a crime of the second degree.
Regulates contractors engaging in home improvements. *
Establishes 11-member "Internet Voting Study Commission." *
Permits registered voter to request and receive absentee ballot for any reason.
Requires that configuration of toll collection lanes be consistent throughout Garden State Parkway.
Concerns certain contracts to privatize State services.
Concerns certain contracts to privatize county services.
Permits municipalities to license and regulate self-service storage facilities and requires warnings against storage of hazardous materials on rental contracts.
Prohibits sale or distribution of computer software under certain circumstances.
Requires notification for potential license revocation of child care providers and certain health care facilities.
Permits NJ Transit Corporation to develop and fund programs for the coordination of public transportation service with ferry passenger service. **
Requires school districts to establish plans for responding to emergencies and crises.
Requires parolees to provide verified address as condition for release.
Creates crime of victimization of senior citizen and person with disability. *
The "Raincheck Policy Disclosure Act."
Allows certain directors and superindendents of State's toll road authorities to waive tolls under certain conditions. *
Directs DOE to identify the content standards and progress indicators for districts which choose to acquaint students with the non-violence philosophy of certain leaders.
Establishes limits on resident's hours in hospitals. *
Imposes penalties for violations of renewable energy standards by electricity providers.
Expresses additional rationale for existing statutory prohibition of self-service dispensing of motor fuel at service stations.
Requires Division of Taxation to display Senior Gold prescription program information on tax return instructions.
Establishes the New Jersey-Africa Commission.
Changes in-service training requirement for licensed foster parents.
Creates the "Biometric Identifier Privacy Act."
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. *
Enhances rights and remedies of employees who disclose or refuse to participate in fraudulent employer practices.
Provides in-network benefits to patient with disability for services provided by out-of-network provider under certain circumstance.
Permits municipalities to place "stop" signs on certain intersections near schools, playgrounds and youth recreational facilities.
Establishes criminal penalties for failure to pay the minimum wage.
Prohibits certain uses of State funds by contractors and grantees.
Establishes certain requirements for sale of "E-Z Pass" transponders to nonresidents.
Requires that medical gas cylinders, containers and vessels used in health care facilities be color-coded to identify contents.
Clarifies procedures for closing active child protective services cases.
Prohibits discharge of untreated or pre-treated wastewater from Superfund former landfill sites into publicly owned treatment works; and imposes certain remediation requirements on Superfund former landfill sites with radionuclide pollutants. *
Permits disqualification of bidder under "Local Public contracts Law" with whom any contracting unit has had prior negative experience.
Concerns notice of worker rights under the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act."
Requires NJ Sports and Exposition Authority to notify and receive input from Hackensack Meadowlands District municipalities concerning certain Meadowlands complex projects.
Establishes ten-member "New Jersey Clean Elections and Campaign Finance Study Commission." *
Extends military leave benefits for members of the Reserve and National Guard called to federal active duty for extended periods of time.
Excludes housing and subsistence allowances of National Guard members on State active duty from gross income under the gross income tax.
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. *
Out of committee · 51
Requires payment of prevailing wages in construction related to New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission and EDA assistance. *
Establishes new method of establishing financial liability for patients in psychiatric facilities and eliminates financial liability of certain family members. *
Permits municipalities to offer prescription drug benefit to certain retired volunteer firefighters and other emergency aid volunteers.
Classifies burglary of a residence as a crime of the second degree.
Prohibits the siting or construction of underground storage tanks within 100 yards of drinking water wells. *
Requires verification of certain credit card applications before processing them.
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. *
Requires sheriff's offices in each county to maintain statistics and file quarterly reports concerning service of child support orders and warrants. *
Designated the "Clean Indoor Air Act."
Imposes restrictions on future retail sales of handguns; mandates sales of personalized handguns when found available for retail sales purposes.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. *
Authorizes an increase in administrative penalties for prevailing wage violations.
Expands number of disorders included in newborn screening program.
Revises statutes concerning computer crime.
"Health Care Claims Payment Responsibility Act."
Requires health care facilities provide copy of bill to patients.
Provides compensatory time off for certain essential attendance State employees.
Concerns workers' compensation for occupational disease claims and workers' compensation benefits rates for surviving dependents.
Establishes protection of water resources and flood-prone areas as high priorities under open space acquisition program. *
Permits BPU to authorize the securitization of deferred balances of electric public utilities for the provision of basic generation service.
Requires nursing homes to have defibrillator on site and employee trained to use defibrillator.
Strengthens screening procedures for school bus drivers.
Provides for mandatory participation in school breakfast program for certain schools. *
Establishes low interest mortgage program in HMFA for volunteer fire and rescue squad members.
Requires county prosecutors to investigate credible allegations of voter intimidation; requires Attorney General to direct investigation if county prosecutor fails to act. *
Authorizes an adjustment to school district budget cap in the amount of any increase in special education expenditures for the budget year.
Revises laws concerning siting of low-level radioactive waste disposal facility; repeals parts of the statutory law.
Directs HMFA to require shower rails in senior rental projects. **
Revises statutory mental health coverage requirements and requires all health insurers to cover alcohol and drug addiction treatment under same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses. *
Requires under "Fair Housing Act" that certain percentage of affordable housing be reserved for very low income households.
Establishes the Jewish Heritage Trail Study Commission.
Makes various changes to the automobile insurance laws; consolidates administrative functions relative to automobile insurance; provides for insurance fraud reforms. *
Exempts certain persons enrolled in public institutions of higher education from payment of undergraduate tuition at nonresident rates. *
Provides non-forfeitable right to post-retirement medical benefits provided by law to certain public employees with 25 years of service.
Establishes penalty for failing to comply with school crossing guard's signal to stop.
Revises and augments rules governing arbitration procedures in arbitration agreements.
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
Releases certain purchasers of public property from reverter clause under certain circumstances.
Requires reporting by certain persons of attemped or completed suicides by youth and establishes NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council.
Increases fine for parking in parking space restricted for handicapped persons.
Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to Community Food Pantry Fund.
Establishes lawn watering restrictions; authorizes DEP to adopt water conservation regulations and to reduce water supply application backlog; and requires installation of automatic rain sensor devices under certain circumstances. *
Provides unemployment benefits for certain spouses of armed services members. *
Establishes 27-member New Jersey African-American Reconciliation Study Commission. *
Revises "lemon law" refund formula for consumers of certain new motor vehicles.
Requires Office of Business Services in the New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission to issue certain decisions in writing.
Provides for certification of emergency medical technicians to administer glucagon and for administration of glucagon to certain school pupils.
Requires award of grants to remediate discharges from home heating oil tanks for application filed prior to July 1, 2007.
Requires DEP to implement California Low Emission Vehicle program beginning on January 1, 2009 under certain circumstances; establishes review commission; and establishes incentive for purchase or lease of zero emission vehicles. *
Designates State Highway No. 70 bridge over Manasquan River as the "September 11 Memorial Bridge;" appropriates $2,500.
Requires training in diabetes care for certain school employees and use of medical management plans in schools for students with diabetes.
In committee · 52
Requires hospitals and nursing homes to compile and provide certain staffing and patient care information to the public.
Requires licensing of genetic counselors.
Exempts from sales tax certain sales by or to any senior citizens club organized for pleasure, recreation, or other nonprofitable purposes.
Allows gross income tax deduction for 50% of contributions of $100 or more to domestic violence shelters.
Requires insurers to cover costs of treating cystic fibrosis.
Modifies blood alcohol concentration standard for repeat drunk drivers.
Requires firearms identification cards display color photo; mandates firearms safety training for first-time applicants.
Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song.
Creates E-ZPass "Bill of Rights."
Requires school districts to adopt harassment and bullying prevention policies.
Requires that Port Authority of NY & NJ notify vehicle owner within 30 days of alleged electronic toll system violation.
Appropriates $300,000 for grants to organizations providing services to crime victims and witnesses.
Allows certain county utilities authority employees to purchase up to 2 years PERS credit under certain circumstances.
Requires public hearing by the Attorney General regarding conversion of certain nonprofit corporations under certain circumstances.
Authorizes the use of $100,000 to recruit and train respite care providers to serve persons with developmental disabilities.
Makes certain changes with respect to employment discrimination.
Authorizes municipalities to provide free day care services to children of volunteer firefighters and first aid squad members.
Directs DHSS to adopt regulations establishing certain minimum nursing staff ratios for general hospitals and nursing facilities and sets limits on medical residents' hours.
Provides that the State shall pay health insurance premiums for survivors of certain police officers in PERS.
Requires State Treasurer to provide long term care insurance plan for local public employers to offer to employees and retirees at own expense.
Establishes "Governor's Advisory Council on Home and Community-Based Care."
Requires public bidding of projects in Hackensack Meadowlands.
Reallocates $675,000 in Grants-in-Aid funding within Division of Developmental Disabilities to provide grant to Arc of Essex county and Arc of Bergen-Passaic counties.
Authorizes proration of veterans' property tax deduction.
Revises criteria for eligibility to receive senior and disabled homestead property tax reimbursement.
Permits police officer to impound uninsured motor vehicle.
"Pharmacy Benefits Management Company Act."
Requires posting of warning signs concerning potential of infection, and provision of washing or disinfecting areas, at certain establishments or events where humans may come in contact with animals.
Renames and expands scope of Commission on Racism, Racial Violence and Religious Violence.
Directs DHSS to prepare and disseminate informational materials about prescription drug programs for senior citizens and disabled persons.
Requires criminal background checks of employees of private prisoner transport companies.
Reorganizes NJSPCA and county societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
Appropriates $100,000 to DCA for grant to Paramus Borough for cost of Saddle River Flood Management Plan.
Appropriates $100,000 to DCA for grant to Lodi Borough for cost of Saddle River Flood Management Plan.
Appropriates $100,000 to DCA for grant to Saddle Brook Township for cost of Saddle River Flood Management Plan.
Appropriates $100,000 to DCA for grant to South Hackensack Township for cost of Saddle River Flood Management Plan.
Creates the offense of trafficking in and possession of counterfeit commuter tickets.
Requires public notice of completion of cetain DEP environmental studies.
Provides State purchasing preference to fuel cell-powered equipment.
Authorizes "Severely Disabled Veteran" license plates for qualified veterans; entitles holders to handicapped parking privileges.
Requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to disclose gifts, fees and other economic benefits provided to health care providers for promotional and marketing purposes to DHSS.
Reduces restoration fees for license suspensions involving one parking ticket.
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.
Supplemental appropriation of $10 million to Department of Treasury for the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology to administer certain programs.
Expands responsibilities of "New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect."
Requires that certain gift certificates be redeemable at full face value.
"New Jersey Fair Market Drug Pricing Act"; establishes New Jersey Rx Card Program to reduce prescription drug prices.
Provides for issuance of New Jersey Homeland Security Medals; appropriates $5,000.
Limits expansion or extension of airport runways under certain circumstances.