This bill requires that construction workers on residential projects of four stories or less in specific redevelopment areas receive the local prevailing wage rate. It applies to projects under three tax exemption programs: the Long Term Tax Exemption Law, Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law, and Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. The prevailing wage rate - determined by the Labor Commissioner based on local collective bargaining agreements - is now mandatory for these projects, even when developed by private entities under tax abatement agreements with public bodies. This extends existing New Jersey prevailing wage protections to cover smaller residential construction in designated redevelopment zones.
New Jersey's A2454 requires new building service employers to retain current employees for a 90-day transition period following a building service transfer (such as contract termination or ownership change). During this period, employees must be evaluated, and those who perform satisfactorily must be offered continued employment under the new employer's terms. The law applies to workers like janitors, security guards, and maintenance staff in most commercial and residential buildings, but excludes small properties (e.g., buildings under 50 residential units or 100,000 sq. ft. of commercial space). Employers must provide employee lists 15 days before transfers and maintain preferential hiring lists for those not retained during the transition.
This bill allows current elected officials in New Jersey who are retired public employees under the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to collect both their pension benefits and their full salary for the elected office they hold. It applies only if the pension is not based solely on service in that specific elected office, and no additional retirement contributions are required for the elected office service. The bill is limited to current officeholders (not future retirees) and reverses a 2011 repeal of a similar rule, restoring a prior policy for existing officials.
This bill defines accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as second homes attached or detached from a single-family home, with limits of 1,200 square feet and independent living facilities. It requires municipalities to permit ADUs on single-family lots and prohibits local rules like mandatory passageways, parking minimums, occupant relationship requirements, or separate utility billing. The bill also prevents restrictions that would effectively block ADU construction while allowing local control over short-term rentals and building code compliance. It directly affects homeowners seeking to add ADUs and local governments managing zoning.
This bill would allow New Jersey municipalities to transfer dormant alcohol retail licenses to other towns within designated redevelopment or revitalization zones (like urban enterprise zones or downtown areas). It requires 90-day public notice before transfers, limits municipalities to one transfer per year, and mandates that transferred licenses stay permanently within revitalization areas. The law aims to repurpose unused licenses for economic development without increasing overall license caps.
This bill (S 1431) provides temporary mortgage payment relief to New Jersey homeowners significantly impacted by Hurricane Ida's 2021 remnants. It requires mortgage servicers to grant a minimum one-year forbearance (with possible extensions totaling 545 days) to qualifying homeowners who received federal disaster assistance for primary residences damaged by the storm, have income below 150% of area median income, and hold limited bank reserves. During forbearance, servicers cannot charge fees/penalties, report missed payments to credit agencies, or initiate foreclosure. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but withdrawn from consideration in February 2024.
This bill limits annual rent increases for tenants living in modular or manufactured homes to 2.5% over any 12-month period. It directly affects tenants in these specific housing types who rent their primary residence, as defined by the bill. Landlords violating the 2.5% cap must revert to the previous rent amount for the lease term and face penalties including $500 for first offenses. The law applies alongside existing "unconscionable rent" protections and does not cover affordable housing units or non-residential properties. It takes effect three months after enactment for new tenancies.
This bill requires New Jersey state and private correctional facilities to allow inmates to make free phone and video calls to family members, with no fees charged to the inmate or the recipient. It prohibits facilities from adding commissions, surcharges, or additional fees beyond set rate limits (11 cents per minute for domestic calls, 25 cents for international calls). The bill mandates that facilities follow standard state procurement rules when contracting for phone services, but eliminates direct costs for inmates and their families. It aims to reduce the financial burden on low-income families who previously paid for prison phone calls.
This bill (S 1551) would have authorized New Jersey municipalities and counties to establish civilian review boards to oversee police operations. It specified that boards must have at least seven members (appointed by mayors or county officials with community experience), require training before reviewing officer conduct, and mandate a quorum of four members. The bill included a $600,000 state appropriation to support these boards and required boards to document their work. However, the bill was withdrawn from consideration in February 2024 and did not become law.
This bill (A1972) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create and implement a plan improving access to screening, treatment, and support services for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). It directly affects pregnant and postpartum women in New Jersey experiencing PMADs, as well as mental health providers and support services. The plan must include strategies to increase provider awareness of PMADs, establish a referral network, expand peer support access, reduce stigma through public awareness, and allocate funds for these services. The DOH must adopt necessary rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to carry out this requirement, and the law takes effect immediately.
This bill, S 1645, would have provided a one-time tax credit to New Jersey organic farmers who paid certification fees to both an accredited certifying agent and the state Department of Agriculture during May 30-December 31, 2022. The credit amount would equal the difference between fees paid to the accredited agent and fees paid to the state department for that period. To qualify, farmers must have been certified by the state on January 11, 2022, and paid fees for both certification paths during the specified timeframe. The bill was introduced in January 2024 and withdrawn from consideration on January 29, 2024.
This bill would have prohibited New Jersey public libraries and school libraries from banning or restricting access to books based on political or religious views. It required library boards and school districts to adopt policies supporting open access (such as the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights) or face potential withholding of state funding. The law specifically exempted libraries from being required to purchase or acquire new books. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but withdrawn before consideration.
