This bill (A5195) requires manufacturers to provide written notice to purchasers when selling firefighting personal protective equipment (like jackets, helmets, or gloves) containing chemicals called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The notice must state that PFAS is present, explain why it's used, and list the specific chemicals. Beginning six months after the bill takes effect, manufacturers must provide this notice at sale, and both parties must keep copies for three years. Two years later, the bill prohibits selling, manufacturing, or distributing firefighting gear that intentionally contains PFAS. It directly affects manufacturers of firefighting PPE and fire departments purchasing this equipment.
This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study whether small modular reactors (SMRs) - nuclear reactors under 300 megawatts - can be feasibly deployed statewide. The BPU must complete this 18-month study, using $5 million in state funds, and consult with environmental and economic agencies. The study will examine suitable locations (like retired power sites), regulatory requirements, economic costs, safety, environmental impacts, and public input through three hearings. It will also assess how SMRs could integrate with existing energy infrastructure and recommend a potential pilot program for future deployment.
This bill directs the Garden State Preservation Trust to conduct a comprehensive audit of New Jersey's land preservation programs, including Green Acres, Blue Acres, farmland preservation, and historic property preservation. The audit must identify inefficiencies and recommend fund reallocations. It authorizes local governments and nonprofit organizations using constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for farmland preservation to use up to 3% of the value of development easements or fee simple titles for administrative expenses. The bill also requires unspent funds allocated to local governments for farmland preservation to be returned to the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund after 18 months if not committed to an active project. It appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to support the audit implementation.
S 3800 amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect current military service members and veterans from discrimination. The bill broadens existing protections by adding "service in the Armed Forces of the United States" as a protected class, covering both active duty personnel and those who have been discharged. It makes it unlawful for employers to deny reemployment to employees who take leave for military service, aligning with federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The bill also updates gendered language in the law to be more inclusive and clarifies that only unlawful discrimination is prohibited under the law.
This bill, S 2373 (the "New Jersey First Responders PTSD Protection Act"), protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) who are diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits public employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a PTSD diagnosis verified by a licensed medical professional. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior roles after medical clearance and face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation if they retaliate. The law applies only when PTSD arises from trauma directly tied to job duties, such as witnessing incidents or experiencing vicarious trauma while performing official responsibilities.
This bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General guidelines for investigating bias incidents into law. It requires all county and municipal law enforcement agencies to report suspected or confirmed bias incidents through the Electronic Uniform Crime Reporting system within 24 hours of initial response. The bill also mandates immediate notification to the Bias Crime Unit and county prosecutor in cases involving homicide, aggravated assault, hate group perpetrators, or potential large-scale public unrest. Additionally, it establishes specific criteria for confirming bias incidents and requires law enforcement agencies to develop written policies, provide officer training, and update investigation protocols for bias-related incidents.
S 2961 requires contractors working on New Jersey public works projects (funded by public money) to certify that each employee meets one of three minimum qualifications: a high school diploma or GED, enrollment in an equivalent apprenticeship program, or four years of documented trade work experience verified by tax filings. Contractors must submit this certification as part of their registration with the state, alongside other required documentation like business details and insurance proof. Non-compliance could lead to denial, suspension, or revocation of the contractor’s public works registration. The bill directly affects contractors bidding on public projects and the workers they employ on those projects.
S 4219 amends New Jersey's local payroll tax law to clarify reporting requirements for employers in municipalities that impose such taxes. It requires employers to submit quarterly payroll reports by specific deadlines (April, July, October, January), maintain confidentiality of employee tax information, and pay interest on overdue taxes (capped at 8% for the first $1,500 and 18% above that). The bill also prevents double taxation by exempting New Jersey payroll tax for employees whose services are performed out-of-state and subject to another state’s tax, requiring employers to submit documentation to verify this. These changes directly affect employers operating in New Jersey municipalities with local payroll taxes and ensure consistent administration of tax collection.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to restart the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (REEM) program using remaining uncommitted funds. It directly affects homeowners still recovering from Superstorm Sandy who have unmet rebuilding needs, as defined under existing law (P.L.2015, c.102). The key mechanism allows the DCA to accept new grant applications to provide financial assistance for recovery and rebuilding, leveraging funds that were previously allocated but not yet distributed. The bill mandates this action only if sufficient uncommitted funds remain, ensuring no new appropriations are required. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to establish and regularly update guidelines for investigating bias incidents (such as hate crimes based on race, religion, or sexual orientation). It mandates that local police and prosecutors report confirmed or suspected bias incidents to the state within 24 hours, notify the Attorney General for serious cases (like homicides or organized hate groups), and follow specific investigation procedures. The guidelines also require law enforcement training on identifying bias incidents, ensure victims receive referrals to civil rights offices, and set standards for notifying state agencies like the Division of Criminal Justice. The bill directly affects county/municipal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and state offices handling bias incident investigations.
This bill permanently allows retired employees of the New Jersey Legislature who are members of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to return to part-time work without losing retirement benefits. It extends the existing rule permitting such returns (limited to 20 hours weekly, requiring a bona fide retirement, and starting 30+ days after retirement) to be permanent, rather than temporary. Specifically, it allows those already returning under the current law to extend their employment indefinitely, rather than being capped at four years. The policy directly affects retired Legislative staff who meet the age, part-time, and non-prearranged retirement conditions. It does not apply to former legislators themselves.
This bill makes several key changes to New Jersey's cannabis regulatory framework. It modifies the Cannabis Regulatory Commission by changing how the chair is selected (from the Governor to a commission member), increasing salaries for commission members and the executive director, and allowing commission members who hold local elected office to campaign and fundraise for their positions. The bill also streamlines licensing for medical cannabis dispensaries seeking adult-use retail licenses, permitting them to operate adult-use retail spaces on the same premises as medical dispensaries without needing municipal approval, provided they've operated lawfully for at least 180 days. Additionally, it requires the New Jersey State Police to develop an enforcement program targeting unlicensed cannabis businesses, which can be deemed public nuisances subject to closure.
