This bill would legalize possession of up to six marijuana plants for personal use, but only if New Jersey enacts another bill (Assembly Bill 21(2R), the "Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act") that legalizes marijuana for personal use. It amends New Jersey's criminal code to remove penalties for possessing six or fewer marijuana plants, making such possession not subject to punishment. The bill directly affects residents who would be using marijuana personally once the main legalization bill passes. It would take effect upon enactment of Assembly Bill 21(2R), which is currently pending before the Governor.
This bill designates online sweepstakes casinos as a form of internet gaming, requiring them to operate under the same regulatory framework as other internet gaming operators in New Jersey. It defines an online sweepstakes casino as a platform where users play games with "free currency" and earn redeemable credits through purchases, tasks, or random awards, without needing to make an initial monetary investment. The bill requires operators to obtain a casino service industry enterprise license, undergo initial and bi-annual third-party audits, partner with a casino licensee, and comply with all existing internet gaming requirements including age verification, licensing fees, and taxation on gross revenue. This legislation also authorizes the Division of Gaming Enforcement to investigate unauthorized operators and work with telecom providers to restrict access to unlicensed sites, with penalties of $1,000 per player per day for violations.
This bill restores automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey. It applies to members who have been retired and receiving benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those hired after the bill's effective date, in deferred retirement, or who retired with 20-24 years of service. The COLA will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, with a $76,000 threshold for the first year that adjusts annually, and will apply only to future payments (not retroactively). The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover the cost, which will be reimbursed to local employers, and specifies that the State Treasurer will implement the COLAs if the retirement system's board fails to do so within six months.
New Jersey's A 4361 establishes rules for app-based micro transit services (like on-demand shuttle programs) operating within the state. It requires drivers to hold commercial licenses and receive equal pay/wages as other transit workers, ensures new services expand coverage to "transit deserts" (areas with limited public transit access) without replacing existing routes, and mandates that existing employees aren't harmed by new programs. The bill creates a three-member Micro Transit Oversight Committee - representing transit agencies, the legislature, and transit worker unions - to review and certify all program plans before implementation. These requirements apply to New Jersey Transit, county agencies, and third-party contractors providing such services.
This bill increases the maximum attorney fee cap in New Jersey workers' compensation cases from 20% to 25% of the amount recovered in settlements, judgments, or orders. It specifically applies to cases involving medical treatment, temporary disability benefits, and permanent disability claims, ensuring attorneys can be compensated fairly for securing these essential benefits. The bill clarifies that awarded fees cannot be deducted from payments for medical treatment or temporary disability benefits. It also maintains judges' discretion to consider hourly rates in certain fee determinations while addressing a recent court ruling on fee calculations. The changes apply immediately to pending cases.
This bill would allow smaller breweries (with a limited brewery license producing up to 300,000 barrels annually) to operate up to 15 retail salesrooms where customers can buy beer to take home or drink on the premises. Currently, only wineries that produce 250,000 gallons or less per year have this privilege. Breweries would pay a $250 fee for each salesroom they operate, and the bill prohibits joint operation of multiple salesrooms. This change would extend winery-style retail sales options to breweries.
This bill requires residential buildings used by no more than two households to install "fire escape mechanisms" on each level above ground floor. These mechanisms - such as anchor plates, hooks, and rope systems - must allow safe window egress when ground exits are blocked by fire or smoke. The law applies to property owners during sales, leases, or occupancy changes, requiring certification of compliance from fire safety officials. Violations of the escape mechanism requirement carry a maximum penalty of $1,000, while separate penalties apply for non-compliant smoke alarms ($500) or fire extinguishers ($100).
This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a statewide policy governing student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on school buses, or at school events. The policy must include age-appropriate rules, allow exceptions for emergencies or medical needs (with parental documentation), cover all devices like smartwatches, and provide storage options such as lockers. School districts must adopt policies consistent with this state guideline by the next full school year, though the commissioner may grant exemptions upon request. The policy aims to balance student well-being with learning, while ensuring compliance with federal special education laws.
Billy Cray's Law (A1364) requires group homes and supervised apartments for individuals with developmental disabilities to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas when residents request them, with consent from all roommates. The law makes monitoring noncompulsory, requires licensees to provide written notice of residents' rights, bear all installation and maintenance costs, and post visible notices when devices are installed. Licensees must ensure reasonable accommodations for monitoring requests and provide access to recordings for residents and authorized representatives. The law aims to improve safety and care quality by enabling residents to monitor treatment conditions, with penalties including $5,000 fines for first-time noncompliance.
This bill requires group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities to install electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) in common areas when all residents and their authorized representatives consent. It also permits residents to install EMDs in private rooms with the consent of roommates in double occupancy rooms. The bill specifies that EMDs must be unobstructed and recording at all times, with common area footage retained for 90 days. Group home licensees must develop internal policies for EMD use, and residents can access footage related to incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The bill aims to balance resident safety with privacy rights through voluntary, consensual use of EMDs.
This bill allows families or guardians of individuals aged 19-21 with developmental disabilities to save unused "agency-after school care" hours from their contracted provider. These saved hours can then be used for social and recreational activities during holidays or weekends, instead of only during regular after-school hours. The provision applies only to hours already authorized through the state's Children's System of Care and must come from the same contracted agency providing the original after-school services. It does not change eligibility for services but modifies how existing authorized hours may be scheduled.
This bill (S 3433) would expand the membership of New Jersey's Sports and Exposition Authority by adding six new members: two appointed by the Governor, two by the Senate President, and two by the Assembly Speaker. It directly affects the Authority's composition, increasing its total membership from 17 to 23 members. The bill does not change the Authority's duties or funding but alters how members are selected. The bill was introduced in June 2024 but withdrawn from consideration on June 13, 2024, and never became law.
