This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to offer one-time virtual or remote instruction to students attending public schools that are being used as polling places on April 16, 2026, for a special election. The measure permits districts to count this day of remote learning toward the state's 180-day school attendance requirement, which is normally only counted during declared emergencies. Districts must ensure students have access to necessary technology and follow existing virtual instruction guidelines approved by the state education commissioner. The superintendent of schools decides whether to implement the program and must notify parents, staff, and the school board of the decision.
This bill requires New Jersey Transit to install safety features like barriers and lighting at bus stops located in high-traffic areas to protect passengers from traffic-related injuries. The law applies to both new shelters being built and existing shelters, with the latter requiring safety upgrades only if a local municipality or entity requests them. NJT will determine which locations qualify as high-traffic areas based on factors such as traffic volume, collision history, and proximity to schools and senior housing. The implementation of these safety measures is subject to the availability of appropriated funds, and the bill takes effect seven months after enactment.
This bill, known as the New Jersey Home Safety Act, requires firearm owners to store their guns in locked safes or containers when not in use, directly affecting all residents who possess firearms in New Jersey. The law mandates that firearms be secured in a way that renders them inaccessible and unusable to anyone other than the owner, with exceptions for lawful carry and temporary transfers. Violations carry penalties ranging from community service for first offenses to criminal charges if the failure to secure a firearm results in serious injury or death. The legislation also directs the Attorney General to establish a list of approved organizations for community service sentences focused on gun violence prevention education and requires retail firearm dealers to provide written warnings about secure storage laws to customers.
This bill requires nursing homes in New Jersey to provide detailed financial and ownership information to the Department of Health before a sale or transfer of ownership occurs. The new requirements include submitting a transfer fee, a cover letter identifying the facility, a description of the transaction with full details on current and proposed owners, and copies of sales and management agreements. The Department of Health must post these applications on its website within 30 days while redacting personal and proprietary information, and the public will have an opportunity to comment on each transfer. Additionally, ownership transfer approval depends on the Department reviewing the new owners' disciplinary history and ensuring all outstanding Medicaid claims and penalties are resolved or assumed by the new owners.
This bill creates an alternative process for victims of domestic violence in New Jersey to obtain driver's licenses or identification cards from the Motor Vehicle Commission without providing standard proof of identity or residence. Instead of traditional documents, applicants can submit medical records, court papers, police reports, or certifications from licensed social workers or domestic violence service providers to verify their situation. The Motor Vehicle Commission will verify these documents and may issue temporary licenses valid for up to 12 months while authentication is completed. The bill also requires staff to receive trauma-informed training and mandates annual reporting on how many licenses are issued through this new process, while protecting the privacy of the sensitive documentation submitted.
This bill requires New Jersey child care centers to create procedures for notifying parents or guardians when a child is absent without an excused reason, as a condition for obtaining or renewing their state license. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) must verify these procedures before issuing a license and can deny, revoke, or refuse to renew a center's license if the procedures aren't established. Centers must determine the reason for unexcused absences following existing law (P.L.2020, c.152). The policy directly affects licensed child care centers and their enrolled families, mandating a specific administrative process tied to licensing compliance.
This bill amends New Jersey's child endangerment law to specifically address AI technology that can simulate sexual conduct with children. It makes it a crime (a fourth-degree offense) for anyone who creates, uses, or promotes such AI tools if they cause or allow a child to be subjected to simulated sexual conduct, unless the AI was designed to avoid sexual interactions with children. The law applies to online distribution, sharing, or promotion of these technologies and includes clear definitions to cover digital contexts like file-sharing networks. It directly affects developers, distributors, and users of AI tools capable of generating inappropriate content for children, without criminalizing AI designed to protect children.
New Jersey's bill A 3383, the "Architectural Paint Stewardship Act," requires paint producers (manufacturers selling interior/exterior architectural paint in 5-gallon containers or smaller) to create or join a paint stewardship program. The program must collect, reuse, recycle, or responsibly dispose of leftover paint from consumers (post-consumer paint), eliminating costs for local governments. Key mechanisms include producers funding the program through a fee added to paint prices, establishing statewide collection sites (ensuring 90% of residents are within 15 miles of a site), and prioritizing reuse/recycling per federal waste management guidelines. This directly affects paint producers and retailers, shifting disposal responsibility from municipalities to the industry.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study how large data centers affect water resources. The study must examine short-term (3-year) and long-term (7-year) water use impacts on drinking water systems, wastewater systems, and the environment, including costs, operational effects, and potential future projects. DEP must report findings within 15 months of the bill's effective date, analyzing water usage patterns, cost impacts on public systems, and possible conservation strategies. The study directly affects data center operators and state water infrastructure, but does not impose new restrictions or requirements.
This New Jersey bill expands protected bereavement leave under the Family Leave Act to cover specific personal losses: death of a child (including stillbirth), miscarriage (including chemical pregnancy), termination of pregnancy for medical reasons, and failed fertility treatments. It directly affects employees who experience these events, granting them up to 21 days of job-protected leave for situations not covered by other leave types, or 7 days if other leave applies. The bill amends existing laws (P.L.1989, c.261 and P.L.1948, c.110) to define "bereavement" broadly, including losses related to adoption plans, gestational carriers, and fertility treatments. It ensures eligible employees can take time off without losing their jobs or benefits during these difficult circumstances.
This bill requires all construction, renovation, and demolition contractors in New Jersey to use physical barriers (like tarps, enclosures, and vacuums) and industry-standard filters to prevent dust, debris, microplastics, and other pollutants from escaping worksites and entering soil, water, or public spaces. It mandates daily cleanup of waste, record-keeping for two years, and on-site training for workers with visual guides on proper containment methods. Contractors face penalties including $1,000 fines for repeat violations and up to $5,000 for ongoing non-compliance, with daily violations treated as separate offenses. The law applies to all commercial and residential projects and enforces compliance through inspections by the Department of Community Affairs or local officials.
This New Jersey bill updates protections for military personnel who are victims of sexual assault, child abuse, or neglect. It allows service members (including National Guard and Reserve members) to file for protective orders in any New Jersey court, regardless of where the incident occurred. The bill also removes fees for applicants, clarifies procedures for minors and victims with disabilities, and specifies that military protective orders can be used to initiate state court applications. It directly affects military victims and streamlines access to legal protections without requiring criminal charges first.
