New Jersey Bills

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 558: Authorizes court to include in domestic violence restraining orders a provision making the order applicable to a pregnant victim's child upon birth of the child.

This bill allows courts to include in domestic violence restraining orders a provision that automatically applies to a victim's child upon birth, if the victim is pregnant and requests this protection. It directly affects pregnant victims of domestic violence and their unborn children by extending legal protections without requiring the victim to return to court after childbirth. The key mechanism is that courts can now add this provision to restraining orders at the victim's request, rather than requiring the victim to seek a new order after the child is born. This change implements a court ruling that found it unreasonable to require victims to return to court immediately after giving birth to extend protections to their newborns.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 1933: Appropriates $15,564,293 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to NJ Historic Trust for grants for certain historic preservation projects and associated administrative expenses.

This bill appropriates $15,564,293 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the New Jersey Historic Trust for historic preservation grants. It funds 37 capital preservation projects totaling $12.18 million (including restoration of sites like the USS New Jersey, Trenton City Hall, and Morven) and 35 historic site management projects totaling $1.59 million (covering preservation planning and heritage tourism initiatives). Additional allocations include $25,000 for a Discover NJ History license plate fund, $100,000 for emergency preservation needs, and $1.67 million for administrative costs. All projects require recipient matching funds and involve properties listed or eligible for listing in the New Jersey or National Register of Historic Places.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 1804: Enhances notice requirements and occupancy restrictions for hotels and multiple dwellings following determination of potentially hazardous condition.

This bill amends New Jersey's Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law to enhance notice requirements and occupancy restrictions when a potentially hazardous condition is identified in hotels or multiple dwellings. A potentially hazardous condition is defined as an imminent health, safety, or welfare risk, or a deteriorating condition that could become an imminent hazard before the next scheduled inspection. If a violation is deemed potentially hazardous, the commissioner must send written notice with large, easily readable text to municipal officials and property owners, and owners must provide hard copies to residents and post notices in conspicuous locations like lobbies and near elevators. Additionally, owners cannot enter new leases for affected units until the hazard is resolved and a certificate of inspection is issued.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 1962: Requires AG to address human trafficking in underserved communities.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to specifically address human trafficking in underserved communities, with a focus on girls and women of color who face heightened vulnerability. The Attorney General must allocate resources within the Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate with local law enforcement on trafficking investigations, partner with victim support programs and community organizations to connect victims with resources, and collect data on trafficking trends in these communities. These actions are intended to target the unique challenges faced by underserved populations experiencing human trafficking. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 1638: Amends lists of projects eligible to receive loans for environmental infrastructure projects from NJ Infrastructure Bank for FY 2024.

S 1638 updates the list of environmental infrastructure projects eligible for loans from New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank during fiscal year 2024. The bill specifically amends the list of qualifying projects (referenced in sections 2 and 4 of P.L.2023, c.119) to include specific drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management systems. This change directly affects local governments and public water utilities seeking financing for these projects through the bank's loan program. The bill does not alter funding amounts but ensures only approved projects qualify for FY 2024 loans.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 1419: Establishes "VETeach Pilot Program" in DOE to facilitate teacher certification of veterans.

This bill establishes a four-year "VETeach Pilot Program" within New Jersey's Department of Education to help veterans become certified teachers. It directly affects veterans who served in the U.S. military on or after September 11, 2001, by providing them with a 36-month teacher preparation program at Rowan University. The program leads to a teaching certification allowing veterans to work in K-8 classrooms and certain secondary subjects, addressing teacher shortages while supporting veteran employment. Upon completion, the program requires a report on participant enrollment, hiring rates, and recommendations for potential permanent expansion.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 253: Directs BPU to conduct study to determine feasibility, marketability, and costs of implementing large-scale geothermal heat pump systems in State.

This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study the feasibility, costs, and marketability of implementing large-scale geothermal heat pump systems across the state. The study must assess installation challenges, compare geothermal energy to traditional heating sources (like natural gas), evaluate potential financial incentives, and consult with experts, other states, and utilities. The BPU must submit a report within one year with recommendations for a pilot program and potential legislative or policy actions. This study will inform whether geothermal systems could be a viable energy option for public and private buildings. The bill does not implement geothermal systems but sets the groundwork for future decisions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 2815: Establishes nonpublic school transportation program to provide funding to consortiums of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing.

This bill (A2815) establishes a program where groups of nonpublic schools (consortia) take over transportation responsibilities for students who are legally required to receive school bus service from public school districts. Under the program, participating school districts would pay consortia the current aid-in-lieu transportation rate ($1,022 per student) for mandated transportation, and the consortia would assume all transportation duties for those students. Consortia may also offer optional transportation for other students at parental cost (capped at $1,022), and must refund unused funds to districts based on actual student usage. The program requires annual audits, an oversight committee, and takes effect immediately for the 2023-2024 school year.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 9, 2024

S 882: Extends period of usefulness of fire engines for bonding purposes from 10 to 20 years; eliminates exclusion of passenger cars and station wagons.

This bill (S 882) amends New Jersey law to extend the bonding period for fire engines from 10 to 20 years and removes an exclusion that previously prevented passenger cars and station wagons from being included in the standard 5-year vehicle category. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities that issue bonds for purchasing fire engines, emergency vehicles, and standard municipal vehicles. The key change allows fire engines to be depreciated over 20 years instead of 10 for bond purposes, while now including passenger cars and station wagons in the 5-year category for vehicles under 15,000 GVWR. This adjustment simplifies asset classification and potentially reduces annual bond costs for local governments.

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 736: Extends period of usefulness of fire engines for bonding purposes from 10 to 20 years; eliminates exclusion of passenger cars and station wagons.

Bill A736 amends New Jersey's Local Bond Law to extend the bonding period for fire engines, apparatus, and equipment from 10 to 20 years when purchased new. It also removes a prior exclusion that prevented passenger cars and station wagons from being included in bonding for municipal vehicle purchases, now allowing these vehicles to be financed for up to five years. This change directly affects municipalities issuing bonds for fire department equipment and standard municipal vehicles. The policy update streamlines how local governments finance and repay for these assets under the state's bonding framework.

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 1940: Requires domestic violence orders to be issued in other languages in addition to English under certain circumstances.

This bill (A1940) requires law enforcement officers to provide domestic violence victims with information about their rights in English, Spanish, and up to 10 additional high-demand languages spoken in New Jersey, as identified in the Supreme Court-approved Language Access Plan. It also mandates the Administrative Office of the Courts to create standard templates for temporary and final restraining orders in these languages for use by law enforcement, municipal courts, and Superior Court judges. These templates would be provided to both victims and defendants when restraining orders are issued. The bill aims to improve language access for non-English speaking domestic violence victims seeking legal protections across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 9, 2024

A 2065: Establishes Center for Career Relevant Education and Talent Evaluation of New Jersey at Thomas Edison State University.

This bill establishes the "CreateNJ" Center at Thomas Edison State University to help nontraditional students and workers convert work experience into recognized academic credits and career credentials. The center will create a standardized "CreateNJ Workforce Transcript" validating skills, knowledge, and training, and maintain a voluntary database of credentialed skills from participating colleges. It requires a 12-member steering committee - co-chaired by the university president and labor commissioner - with representatives from education, business, and workforce agencies to guide the program. The center may charge fees to fund its operations and accept grants to support its mission of connecting workforce development with higher education pathways.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results