New Jersey Bills

signed · New Jersey · Senate Nov 18, 2024

S 1325: Authorizes electronic delivery of documents relating to portable electronics insurance.

This bill allows insurers to deliver portable electronics insurance notices and documents electronically (via email) instead of by mail. It requires insurers to switch to another delivery method (like mail) if they can't confirm email delivery or if a customer's email address is outdated. The law directly affects insurers selling portable electronics insurance and their customers, who receive policy changes, terminations, or other notices. Key provisions include 30-day notice requirements for policy changes and specific fallback rules for email delivery failures. The bill became law as P.L.2024, c.90.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · New Jersey · Senate Nov 18, 2024

S 3201: Upgrades certain penalties for assaulting law enforcement officer and requires offender to be tested for communicable diseases in certain instances.

This bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, making it a second-degree crime when bodily injury occurs (previously a third-degree crime). It expands protection to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel who are assaulted while performing their duties. The bill requires offenders to provide a blood or biological sample for testing for communicable diseases, with any positive results shared with the victim. It also prohibits plea bargains for assault on law enforcement officers and prevents convictions from merging with other offenses. The bill takes effect immediately.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Nov 1, 2024

A 4706: Revises statutes implementing certain property tax relief programs pursuant to recommendations promulgated by Stay NJ Task Force.

This bill creates the Stay NJ property tax credit program, providing eligible senior citizens (65+ years old) with a property tax credit equal to 50% of their property tax bill, up to a maximum of $6,500 for tax year 2026 (with annual adjustments based on property tax increases). The program targets New Jersey residents with annual income under $500,000 who own or rent their principal residence as a homestead. Eligible claimants will receive the greater of the Stay NJ credit or the combined ANCHOR rebate and homestead property tax reimbursement, with a single application process to replace current multiple programs. The credit will be implemented starting in 2026, with applications accepted February 1 through October 31 each year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · Senate Oct 30, 2024

S 3670: Provides for mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by remnants of Hurricane Ida.

This bill provides mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection to New Jersey homeowners who received federal disaster assistance for damage from Hurricane Ida's remnants. It establishes a process for eligible homeowners to apply to the Department of Community Affairs for a "Certification of Eligibility for Forbearance," which would temporarily suspend mortgage principal and interest payments for one year. Homeowners must have occupied their primary residence as of August 31, 2021, and received federal disaster assistance related to Hurricane Ida damage. During the forbearance period, mortgage servicers cannot initiate foreclosure proceedings, though homeowners remain responsible for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The relief ends either one year after the forbearance begins or January 1, 2026, whichever comes first.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · New Jersey · Senate Oct 30, 2024

S 3838: Permits Director of Division of Pensions and Benefits to initiate temporary transfer of funds in certain circumstances.

Senate Bill 3838 allows the Director of the Division of Pensions and Benefits to temporarily transfer funds between two health benefits funds when the target fund (for dependents and employer health benefits) falls below a 10-day funding threshold. The Director can move funds from the main health benefits fund to cover up to 30 days of anticipated payments, including premiums, claims, and other charges, based on six-month averages. Transferred funds, plus interest, must be repaid within 120 days (with possible extensions up to 365 days total) to the target fund. The Director must notify the State Health Benefits Commission within 30 days and provide monthly reports to the State Treasurer detailing transfers, balances, and repayments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Oct 30, 2024

AJR 46: Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey.*

AJR 46 designates January of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey to recognize the state's significant Hindu community. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring Hindu cultural contributions. It acknowledges New Jersey has the highest percentage of Hindus in the U.S. (about 3% of the population) and home to the world's largest Hindu temple in Robbinsville. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the community's heritage.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Oct 30, 2024

A 4447: Allows certain health care practitioners referrals to pharmacies to be made in accordance with certain professional standards.

This bill amends New Jersey law to allow healthcare practitioners (like doctors) to refer patients to pharmacies where they or their immediate family have an existing financial stake - specifically, pharmacies that had approved permits before a prior law took effect. It requires practitioners to provide written disclosure to patients about this financial interest before making such referrals. The change aims to support continuity of care for medication management, such as refills and adherence, by enabling existing practitioner-pharmacy relationships. It does not apply to new pharmacy ownership but focuses on preserving established collaborations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Oct 22, 2024

A 4811: Makes supplemental appropriation of $20 million for provision of Summer Tuition Aid Grants in summer 2025; provides conditional authority for transfer of additional resources to Summer Tuition Aid Grants account.*

This bill provides $20 million in additional state funding for New Jersey's Summer Tuition Aid Grants program for the summer 2025 semester. It directs that eligible undergraduate students - those who received aid in the prior fall or spring semester and are enrolled in summer courses at the same institution - will receive 75% of the full grant amount they would normally qualify for under current law. The funds are allocated to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to cover tuition costs for students enrolled in six or more credits during summer 2025. This is a supplemental appropriation to the existing FY2025 budget, specifically increasing the grant amount for summer enrollment without changing eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · New Jersey · Senate Oct 18, 2024

S 3006: Establishes crimes of home invasion burglary and residential burglary.*

This bill upgrades burglary of a residence (such as a home or dwelling) from a third-degree to a second-degree crime in New Jersey, increasing potential penalties to 5-10 years in prison. If the burglary occurs while the perpetrator is armed with a weapon or explosives, or is connected to another serious crime, it becomes a first-degree crime with a potential 10-20 year sentence. The bill also requires that offenders convicted of these upgraded residential burglaries serve at least 85% of their sentence without parole, as mandated by New Jersey's No Early Release Act. This change directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, making penalties more severe for crimes targeting homes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Oct 4, 2024

A 2180: Permits certain persons to operate Type S school buses.

This bill creates a new "Type S School Bus Certificate" that would allow certain qualified drivers to operate specific school buses without needing a commercial driver's license, passenger endorsement, or school bus endorsement. To qualify, drivers must be at least 21 years old, have held a basic driver's license for three years, pass physical and eye exams, complete a knowledge exam, and finish special training for students with special needs. The certificate would apply to "Type S school buses," defined as vehicles designed for nine passengers or less (excluding driver) with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more, used for transporting students to and from school. This would streamline school bus operations for qualified drivers while maintaining safety standards for student transportation. The bill amends existing school bus regulations to include this new certification pathway.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Oct 4, 2024

A 2607: Authorizes taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies to provide paratransit services for two-year period.*

This bill amends New Jersey law to allow taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies (like Uber and Lyft) to provide paratransit services for a two-year period. Currently, paratransit services - transportation for people with disabilities that are not fixed-route bus services - are legally excluded from being provided by these companies, but the bill removes that exclusion. The change modifies the definition of "paratransit service" in state law to include these providers, expanding potential service options. This directly affects transportation companies and people with disabilities who rely on paratransit services, without altering the core requirements for such services.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 12, 2024

A 4533: Revises certain sections of law concerning financing mechanisms for school facilities projects of regular operating districts.

This bill revises financing rules for school facilities projects in New Jersey's non-SDA school districts (regular operating districts). It modifies two key provisions: for projects built via county improvement authorities, it removes requirements for nominal leases to districts and mandates lease payments to cover all debt service after state aid is applied; for bonds issued without voter approval, it ensures municipal payments (in lieu of taxes) cover only the debt portion not supported by state aid, while confirming such bonds remain eligible for state debt service aid. These changes provide more flexibility in financing while maintaining state aid's role in covering costs. The bill directly affects school districts and municipalities managing school facility funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results