This bill creates a formal certification and oversight system for peer recovery specialists in New Jersey, requiring individuals to meet specific qualifications set by the Division of Consumer Affairs. It mandates that the Division establish certification standards, including criminal background checks, and grants the authority to conduct hearings and set fees for processing applications. The law also outlines ethical restrictions for certified specialists, prohibiting conflicts of interest and exploitation of peer relationships, while exempting certain groups like clergy, students, and licensed professionals from these requirements.
This bill requires New Jersey state subsidy payments for child care services to be calculated based on the number of children enrolled with a provider rather than the number actually attending on any given day. Licensed child care centers and registered family day care providers would receive funding based on enrollment counts recorded on October 15 and April 15 of each year. The change aims to provide more predictable income for providers by decoupling payments from daily attendance fluctuations. The Department of Human Services would implement these rules and seek necessary federal approvals to maintain funding eligibility.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey that would prohibit municipalities from using exclusionary zoning practices that prevent the development of low and moderate income housing. The amendment clarifies that while towns cannot restrict housing options for lower-income residents, they are not required to actually build or fund affordable housing units themselves. This change would shift legal remedies from forcing specific housing projects to allowing courts to strike down discriminatory zoning ordinances instead. The measure would affect all New Jersey municipalities and aims to address long-standing housing disputes under the Mount Laurel doctrine by limiting what local governments must do regarding affordable housing construction.
This bill requires individuals under 17 years of age to wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet when operating or riding as a passenger on a bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter in New Jersey. The law applies to all public roads and trails but allows municipalities to exempt helmet requirements on closed roads or designated bicycle paths that are separated from motor vehicle traffic. Bicycle retailers and rental businesses must post signs notifying customers of the law and provide helmets to minors who do not have one when operating in areas where helmets are required.
This bill changes how New Jersey calculates income eligibility for three assistance programs: NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid), Work First New Jersey, and NJ SNAP. It allows individuals who work as community outreach workers for health promotion or disease prevention programs to exclude their first $5,000 of annual earnings from these income calculations. Community outreach workers are defined as temporary employees of non-profit organizations or health departments who connect community members with health and social services. The bill requires state officials to seek necessary federal approvals to implement these changes and take effect immediately upon passage.
This bill prohibits social media platforms from using features or practices that cause addiction among users under 18 years old. It defines addiction as compulsive use that leads to physical, mental, emotional, developmental, or material harm, and requires platforms to conduct regular audits to identify and fix addictive design elements within 30 days. The law exempts small businesses with less than $100 million in revenue and video game platforms from these requirements, while protecting platforms from liability for user-generated content and existing federal or state protections. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $250,000 per incident enforced through New Jersey's existing penalty enforcement procedures.
This bill expands the authority of New Jersey's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to include a broader range of long-term care facilities beyond just those serving the elderly. It defines the scope of facilities covered to include nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, dementia care homes, psychiatric hospitals, and other institutions providing long-term health services. The legislation also clarifies definitions for key terms such as abuse, exploitation, and facility to guide the Ombudsman's work in investigating complaints and protecting residents' rights. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1 million in funding to support the expanded operations of the Ombudsman's office.
This bill allows New Jersey school districts to count up to five days of virtual or remote instruction toward the state's minimum 180-day school year requirement when schools are closed due to inclement weather, emergencies, or public health directives. It applies to public school districts, charter schools, and other district types that receive state aid, requiring them to submit approved remote learning programs to the state commissioner for review. The legislation ensures that virtual instruction days count as full attendance days for graduation requirements and course credits, while also mandating that students with disabilities receive equivalent educational opportunities through electronic platforms. Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to establish guidelines addressing technology access, instruction length, meal programs, and assessment scheduling for remote learning scenarios.
This bill requires all public and nonpublic secondary schools in New Jersey to conduct annual substance use screenings for students in grades 9 through 12 using a specific screening program. The screenings must be administered by qualified school staff or licensed healthcare professionals, and any student who screens positive must receive brief counseling and referrals to treatment. Parents receive written notice before screenings occur and may opt their children out, while all screening information remains confidential and protected from disclosure except in emergencies or as required by law. Schools with existing alternative intervention programs may opt out by submitting a detailed explanation to the Department of Education.
This bill designates November of each year as "C. Difficile Awareness Month" in New Jersey to increase public and healthcare worker awareness of Clostridioides Difficile infections. The measure establishes an annual observance period during which citizens and officials are encouraged to participate in activities and programs focused on educating the public about this bacterial infection and its prevention. The resolution also requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation to formally recognize the month and promote awareness efforts across the state. This symbolic designation aims to highlight the importance of infection prevention practices, such as proper hand hygiene and environmental cleaning, without mandating any specific policy changes or funding.
This Senate resolution urges New Jersey's Attorney General to investigate whether price-fixing or other anticompetitive behavior contributed to a sharp rise in motor fuel prices in March 2026. The bill directly affects state residents and businesses by requesting an official inquiry into potential market manipulation that may have caused gasoline prices to increase by approximately 65 cents nationally and 58 cents in New Jersey within one month. The resolution requires the Attorney General to examine the sale of motor fuels for anticompetitive conduct and report findings to the Governor and Legislature at the earliest possible date. This measure focuses on ensuring transparency and accountability in the fuel market without determining whether price-fixing actually occurred.
This bill amends New Jersey's statutory definitions related to motor vehicles and transportation, specifically updating terminology used in state law. It directly affects the Motor Vehicle Commission and individuals who interact with vehicle regulations, including drivers, dealers, and vehicle operators. The key provision redefines terms such as "autocycle," "commercial motor vehicle," and "electric vehicle charging space" to align with current technological and operational standards. Additionally, the bill repeals a previous 2019 law, streamlining the legal framework governing vehicle classifications and related administrative procedures.
