This bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates honoring Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. It requires a $50 one-time application fee and $10 annual renewal fee for these plates, with all collected fees (after covering program costs) deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund's proceeds must be annually appropriated to support both organizations' missions, while the organizations must cover initial implementation costs (up to $25,000) and provide 500 applications before the program launches. The program remains inactive until these conditions are met, with an expiration if requirements aren't satisfied within 12 months.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to expand the existing NJ Statewide Student Support Services program to include eating disorder awareness, prevention, and counseling services for students in grades K-12. It directs the 15 regional service hubs contracted with DCF to first assess community needs for these services and then develop policies to provide them through a three-tiered system: universal workshops for all students (Tier 1), targeted group programs (Tier 2), and individual clinical support for those in need (Tier 3). The program would integrate these services into current school-based mental health support structures without creating new entities. The bill applies directly to K-12 students and their families across New Jersey through existing school support networks.
This bill requires public transportation employees in New Jersey (specifically those working for NJ Transit) to complete a one-time training course on recognizing and responding to suspected human trafficking. The training must include information about known signs and signals used by trafficking victims seeking help or observed in public spaces. Current employees must complete the training within two years of the bill's effective date, while new employees must complete it within six months of starting their position. The New Jersey Transit Corporation will develop the training, establish which staff must complete it, and ensure materials are provided to employees.
This bill requires New Jersey public schools to teach cursive handwriting to students in grades K-5. It mandates that school districts incorporate cursive instruction into the curriculum, including activities to help students read and write cursive legibly by the end of third grade. The law applies to all public school students in these grades and takes effect immediately for the next full school year after enactment. The bill does not specify funding or assessment methods, focusing solely on the curriculum requirement.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create and annually update a public list of industry-valued credentials - such as recognized certificates or certifications employers seek. The list will be based on state labor market data and employer feedback, then made available online as both a webpage and a downloadable file. It directly affects DOLWD, mandating its role in compiling and maintaining this resource. The goal is to help workers identify credentials that lead to better wages, career advancement, and job security by aligning training with employer needs.
This bill requires midwives and physicians in New Jersey to provide pregnant patients with written, evidence-based information about all available birthing options (including hospital births, home births, C-sections, and associated health risks) before labor begins. It mandates this information be provided in English and at least seven common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficiency residents, based on census data, during the initial consultation and annually thereafter. The content must cover all options, medication risks (like epidurals), and insurance coverage details. The law applies directly to pregnant patients receiving care from certified midwives or physicians in New Jersey. The Department of Health must create rules to implement these requirements within 180 days of enactment.
S 3447 establishes a Special Education Transportation Task Force to study and recommend best practices for transporting students receiving special education services in New Jersey. The 18-member task force includes education officials, disability advocates, school staff, and parents, and will examine safety protocols, medical emergency response, equipment access, and staff training for these students. It must issue recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of forming, focusing on reviewing current policies and identifying areas for improvement. The bill does not change existing laws but directs the task force to study transportation challenges without implementing immediate changes.
This bill allows families or guardians of individuals up to age 21 with developmental disabilities to save unused after-school care hours provided by their contracted service agency for use during holidays or weekends. It directly affects families receiving family support services through agencies contracted with New Jersey's Division of Children's System of Care. The key provision requires the Division to permit setting aside unused "agency-after school care" hours - defined as social/recreational activities provided by community agencies during non-school hours outside the home - for holiday and weekend use. The bill does not create new services but changes how existing unused hours may be utilized. It takes immediate effect upon passage.
This bill strengthens oversight of facilities providing care to people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey. It creates a "Residential Facility Quality of Care Improvement Fund" in the Department of Human Services (DHS), funded by fines collected from service providers who violate rules. Key provisions include imposing penalties up to $25,000 for serious violations like administrative neglect, failure to conduct required background checks, or not reporting abuse, and requiring providers to submit internal investigation reports within 180 days. The bill directly affects licensed residential providers and authorized service agencies operating under DHS contracts, enhancing DHS's authority to enforce standards through fines and corrective actions.
This bill requires New Jersey county colleges to collaborate with county social services boards and state agencies to expand access to social services for low-income students. It mandates colleges to provide students with information about programs like SNAP, TANF, and childcare subsidies, and to facilitate direct application assistance through on-campus partnerships. The New Jersey Council of County Colleges must coordinate with the Department of Human Services to train college staff on helping students navigate these supports. Additionally, colleges must partner with workforce boards to identify unemployed residents and connect them to career-focused college programs.
This bill changes the civil service classification for State Investigators working in New Jersey's Division of Criminal Justice. Currently classified as unclassified employees (without full civil service protections), they will now be moved to a classified title under the civil service system. This change grants them standard job security, fair hiring processes, and grievance rights under state civil service rules. The bill applies to all current and future State Investigators in this role, effective immediately upon enactment.
This bill creates a system where municipalities that update their zoning regulations to allow for more housing options receive priority for state funding. Municipalities that adopt specific housing strategies - such as permitting accessory dwelling units, reducing parking requirements, or allowing multi-unit developments in commercial zones - can qualify for preference in state grants, including the Main Street New Jersey Program and Neighborhood Preservation Program. School districts in these municipalities may also receive up to a 10% increase in state aid for school construction projects. The bill requires municipalities to review and potentially amend their master plans and zoning regulations to incorporate these housing strategies, with planning boards required to report findings and recommend changes.
