New Jersey Bills

This bill creates a new, independent New Jersey Human Rights Commission to periodically review the state's human rights situation and address issues like bias and discrimination. The commission would be made up of ten public members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker, along with legislative members, ensuring diverse representation from various community organizations. It authorizes the state to join an interstate compact that allows New Jersey to participate in a U.N.-style review process, even after the federal government stopped participating, and enables the commission to develop human rights standards for state contracts.

This bill designates the Vodka Cranberry as the official state cocktail of New Jersey. The measure aims to recognize the state's agricultural heritage, particularly its cranberry production, and to promote local distilleries and tourism. By officially naming this drink, the bill seeks to highlight New Jersey's connection to cranberries and its hospitality industry. The resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.

This bill modifies New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program to include certain websites and content created for internet gaming as eligible digital media projects. Under the new rules, companies producing this type of online content can receive tax credits based on the amount of money they spend on services and goods purchased from New Jersey vendors. To qualify, producers must meet specific spending thresholds, ensure a significant portion of their workforce is employed in the state, and submit verification reports from independent accountants. The legislation aims to expand the existing incentive structure to support the growth of the internet gaming sector within the state's entertainment industry.

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to count days of virtual or remote instruction toward the mandatory 180-day school year requirement when schools are closed due to emergencies or public health directives. It applies to public schools, charter schools, and private schools serving students with disabilities, ensuring that remote learning can fulfill attendance and graduation requirements if approved by the state commissioner. Under the new rules, districts must submit their remote instruction plans for approval within 30 days of a closure, or the commissioner may grant retroactive approval if the district cannot meet the initial deadline. The legislation also requires the commissioner to provide guidance on technical access for students without internet, the length of remote learning days, and how these changes affect school meals and standardized testing. Additionally, the superintendent gains the authority to implement remote instruction plans during emergencies after consulting with the school board.

This bill creates a new fund within the New Jersey Department of Education to help public schools support students impacted by immigration enforcement activities. The fund will be financed through annual state appropriations, federal grants, and other available monies, and it will remain in place without expiring. Schools receiving money from this fund can use it to provide trauma-informed mental health services, address the effects of parental separation, and hire or train staff to deliver these supports. To ensure accountability, the Department of Education will determine how to distribute the money, and schools must report on how they use the funds.

This bill requires health benefits plans in New Jersey to allow any pharmacy that meets standard contract terms to participate in their network when pharmacy benefits managers are involved. It mandates that contract terms between these entities be reasonable and relevant, with the state Commissioner of Banking and Insurance responsible for defining these standards by reviewing current agreements and ensuring reimbursement fees cover operational costs. The law applies to contracts initiated or renewed after its enactment, which is set to take effect thirteen months after introduction.

This bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover routine HIV testing for patients receiving care in primary care settings, emergency departments, and other appropriate health facilities. Under the new rules, HIV testing will be performed automatically unless a patient explicitly opts out, provided they have already given general consent for their medical visit. The legislation also mandates that insurance contracts cannot be issued or renewed without including these testing benefits, ensuring coverage is treated like any other medical condition.

This bill directs the New Jersey State Board of Education to create a program that covers the fees for high school equivalency exams for low-income individuals, defined as those living in households earning 150 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines. To fund these payments, the legislation establishes a dedicated, nonlapsing fund within the Department of Education that accepts public donations and state appropriations. The bill also provides tax deductions for both individual and corporate taxpayers who contribute to this fund, making it easier for donors to support the initiative.

This bill requires public colleges and universities in New Jersey to annually report data on how many new students are placed into remedial courses, which are classes that do not count toward a degree. The legislation mandates that these reports include specific details such as the students' high schools and the subjects where they need extra help. Additionally, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education must compile this information into a public report that tracks trends and identifies schools with unusually high rates of remedial placement. If a school district's remedial enrollment rises significantly above its average, the state may share this data with the State Auditor or the Department of Education for inclusion in school report cards.

This bill expands New Jersey's Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program to offer tax credits specifically for developers creating residential projects on cleaned-up brownfield sites. The legislation amends existing state laws to formally define key terms such as 'affordable housing' and 'developer,' ensuring clarity for those seeking financial incentives. By clarifying these definitions and extending the program's scope, the bill aims to encourage the reuse of contaminated land for housing development.

This bill creates a $2 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities establish snow removal services for seniors. Under the plan, local governments can apply for up to $100,000 to clear snow and ice from the driveways, entrance paths, and sidewalks of homes occupied by residents aged 62 or older with incomes below 65% of the area median. The funding is restricted to single-family homes and does not cover seniors living in rental units or communities where the landlord or association already provides equivalent snow removal services. The Department of Community Affairs will manage the fund and create necessary rules to oversee the distribution of these grants.

This bill changes how members of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities are appointed and what qualifications they must have. It requires the Governor to fill all board vacancies within 90 days of the law taking effect, setting initial terms of two to six years so that board seats are staggered. Going forward, every new member will serve a six-year term, and the board must include at least one person with experience in energy affordability and consumer protection, as well as at least one person with experience in grid engineering or utility operations.