New Jersey Bills

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 1632: Adjusts bid threshold amounts for certain public research universities; permits certain contracts for school districts, municipalities, and counties to be awarded by qualified purchasing agent.

This bill adjusts the dollar amount requiring competitive bidding for contracts involving New Jersey's public research universities, specifically Rowan University. It also allows school districts, municipalities, and counties to award certain contracts through qualified purchasing agents instead of full competitive bidding processes. These changes aim to streamline procurement for eligible entities by increasing the threshold for mandatory competitive bids and expanding contracting flexibility.

Topics ✓ Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 1796: Allows licensed clinical social worker to directly bill NJ FamilyCare for covered services provided to program beneficiaries.

A1796 would allow licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) to directly bill the NJ FamilyCare program for covered mental health services provided to program beneficiaries. To qualify, LCSWs must hold a valid license under New Jersey law, be approved as a provider by NJ FamilyCare, and offer services that are already covered under the program. The bill requires the state to seek federal approval for this change to maintain Medicaid funding. This policy update would streamline reimbursement for LCSWs who currently cannot bill NJ FamilyCare directly.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 2028: Requires certain health care facilities to develop certain doula policies and procedures.

This bill requires hospitals and birthing centers that provide maternity services to create written policies allowing patients to select a doula (a trained support person) to be present during labor, birth, and postpartum. Facilities must provide these policies in writing to medical staff, patients, and others upon request, post a summary online, and appoint a staff liaison to connect with doulas and organizations. The policies must be adopted within 180 days of the bill's immediate effective date.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 774: Requires online option for cancellation of automatic renewal of health club services subscriptions entered into online; provides additional options for cancelling health club services contracts under certain circumstances.

This bill requires health club subscription providers selling services online to offer an easy, direct way for consumers to cancel automatic renewals. Specifically, it mandates that providers include a prominent, accessible link or button on their website (in user accounts or settings) or a simple email option for cancellation. The law applies to online health club subscriptions in New Jersey, directly affecting consumers who sign up for these services digitally. It updates existing contract rules to include these online cancellation methods alongside traditional written or phone cancellations. The key change is making it as simple to end a subscription online as it is to sign up.

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 717: Requires certain health care professionals to undergo bias training.

This bill requires licensed healthcare professionals and homemaker-home health aides in New Jersey who provide in-home care to complete annual bias training focused on cultural competency and unconscious biases. The training, developed by the Department of Health, covers identifying biases related to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and disability, along with communication strategies and mitigating biases in care decisions. It mandates one credit of training within one year of the bill's effective date, followed by biennial recertification. The Department of Health will maintain an electronic database to track compliance with this requirement.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 615: "New Townhouse Fire Safety Act"; requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in new townhomes.

This bill requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in all new townhouses built in New Jersey. It applies to newly constructed townhouses (defined as not previously occupied, with permits issued after the bill's effective date, for up to two households in attached units). The key mechanism mandates that construction permits cannot be approved without sprinkler system provisions, and directs the state to update building codes to require separate shut-off valves for sprinklers and domestic water. The requirements take effect seven months after the bill is enacted, affecting future developments but not existing buildings.

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 3119: Revises various provisions of law governing construction of school facilities projects and operations of New Jersey Schools Development Authority; establishes "Charter School and Renaissance School Project Facilities Loan Program" in EDA.

# Summary of New Jersey School Facilities Legislation This document appears to be a comprehensive legislative bill (likely from the New Jersey State Legislature) that makes significant changes to the laws governing school facilities construction and the operations of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA). Here's a concise summary of the key provisions: ## Model School Designs - Requires the SDA, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, to establish a model school design program with uniform standards for school facility exterior and interior design - All projects in SDA districts must conform to these standards ## Non-SDA School District Provisions - Allows school districts to raise bonds for school facilities projects without voter approval if they enter into contracts with municipalities that provide at least 60% of payments in lieu of taxes from designated properties - Permits boards of education to enter agreements with county improvement authorities for school facilities construction - Allows drawing from capital reserve accounts for public-private partnership projects ## SDA Finances and Operations - Changes how bonds issued by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) for school facilities projects are used - Requires SDA to establish three funds for bond proceeds and state appropriations: 1. SDA District Project Fund 2. Regular Operating District Construction and Maintenance Grants Fund 3. SDA District Emergent Project Fund - Mandates that at least 70% of direct funding for school facilities projects goes to SDA districts ## Charter and Renaissance School Facilities - Establishes a "Charter School and Renaissance School Project Facilities Loan Program" to provide loans to non-profit charter schools and renaissance school projects in SDA districts - Sets criteria for loan approval based on critical needs (health/safety issues, building systems, accessibility, etc.) - Requires prevailing wage rates for construction workers - Includes provisions for reversion of property if a charter school's authorization is revoked This bill represents a significant overhaul of school facilities funding mechanisms in New Jersey, with specific focus on SDA districts, charter schools, and the role of the Schools Development Authority.

Topics ✓ Education

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 2055: Concerns New Jersey Civic Information Consortium.

This bill revises the governance structure of the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium, which funds projects to improve local news and civic information access. It specifies that the 16-member board must include balanced political representation (e.g., two governor-appointed members from different parties) and sector representatives (media, technology, public service). The bill directs one member university to house the consortium and provide administrative support to reduce costs, while maintaining the existing grant criteria focused on community partnerships. These changes aim to strengthen oversight of the consortium’s work supporting community journalism, government data access, and civic engagement initiatives across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 766: Authorizes certain boards of education to issue bonds to repair damages caused by natural disasters in certain circumstances.

S 766 would have permitted New Jersey school districts affected by natural disasters to issue bonds for facility repairs without voter approval, provided costs were eligible for FEMA reimbursement. It applied to districts without elected school boards (Type II) or under state intervention, requiring two-thirds board approval and Commissioner of Education review. The bill mandated detailed cost estimates, FEMA reimbursement documentation, and compliance with state emergency declarations. However, it was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and withdrawn the same day without further action.

Topics ✓ Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 3022: Requires entities to remove abandoned lines and mark information on certain lines.

This bill requires telecommunications and cable service providers to remove abandoned lines (defined as lines not terminated at both ends, not maintained safely, not intended for future use, or not in operation for 24+ months) and to mark lines with their identifying information. It specifically targets retired copper telephone lines, requiring owners to submit removal plans within 12 months and complete removal within 10 years (with at least 10% removed annually). Entities must report on abandoned line requests to the Board of Public Utilities every 90 days and provide customers with information about their rights to request line removal. Failure to comply may result in fines up to $1,000 per day. The bill primarily affects telecommunications companies and utility providers across New Jersey.

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 1977: Authorizes State Treasurer to sell as surplus certain real property and improvements in Township of Woodbridge in Middlesex County.

This bill authorizes New Jersey's State Treasurer to sell 2.321 acres of surplus state-owned property (two separate parcels) at the former Woodbridge Development Center in Middlesex County to the Township of Woodbridge for $910,000, the appraised value. The property, located at 1291 Rahway Avenue, includes improvements and was deemed surplus to state needs. The sale must follow terms approved by the State House Commission, with the township acquiring the northern and southern portions of the parcel while the state retains the central area. This transfer directly affects the state treasury (as seller) and the Township of Woodbridge (as buyer).

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 3126: Requires certain nonpublic schools to provide meals to all students under "Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act"; authorizes limited expansion of income eligibility to qualify public and nonpublic school students for free lunch.

This bill requires nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to provide free lunches to all students, including those from middle-income families. It expands eligibility for free school lunches to students from households with annual incomes up to 249% of the federal poverty level during the 2024-2025 school year. The State would provide funding to reimburse participating schools for the costs of serving these free meals. This applies to both public and nonpublic schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results