This New Jersey bill (A1877) requires health insurance carriers to offer healthcare providers - such as doctors, dentists, and hospitals - more than one payment method (e.g., check, electronic transfer, or credit card) for reimbursement, rather than forcing them to accept only one option. It mandates that carriers disclose any fees tied to specific payment methods before the first payment and provide clear instructions for selecting methods, while requiring a 30-day turnaround for changing payment methods upon provider request. The bill also prohibits carriers from using a provider’s preferred payment method to decide whether to grant credentials for network participation. These changes apply to all health and dental insurance plans in the state, with enforcement handled by the Department of Banking and Insurance.
This bill requires sellers of single-family homes with installed solar panels to disclose specific information to buyers. Sellers must provide the name and contact details of both the solar panel installer and the company owning or leasing the panels (if different), plus clear terms about whether lease or power purchase agreement rights are being transferred to the new owner. If false claims are made about this information, sellers face liability for $1,000 or actual damages plus legal fees. The law directly affects home sellers in New Jersey with solar installations and aims to ensure transparency during real estate transactions.
This bill revises New Jersey's requirements for tax collector certification in municipalities that operate under the State fiscal year (July 1-June 30), rather than the calendar year. Currently, candidates must pass a specific section of the certification exam to serve in such municipalities, but many skip this step. The bill replaces the exam requirement with a course completion pathway: candidates must finish a State fiscal year tax collection course ($250 fee) and receive a certificate endorsement ($25 fee). This change aims to increase the number of certified tax collectors qualified for State fiscal year municipalities.
This bill creates a temporary Medicaid coverage pathway for New Jersey residents needing home and community-based services or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). It allows the Department of Human Services to grant "presumptive eligibility" to individuals likely to qualify for Medicaid and home care services while they await full eligibility determination. During this temporary coverage period (starting when they request services), providers receive payment for services rendered regardless of final eligibility status. Applicants must submit a full Medicaid application within one month of receiving presumptive eligibility.
This bill (S 1966) requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover specific medically necessary infertility treatments, directly affecting insurers and patients seeking fertility care. It mandates coverage for services like IVF, genetic testing, medications, and diagnostic procedures as defined by medical guidelines, while limiting IVF coverage to cases where less expensive treatments have failed, capping egg retrievals at four per person, and requiring coverage for those who've reversed sterilization. Religious employers may opt out of covering certain procedures (like IVF) if it conflicts with their beliefs, but must disclose this in writing. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn on January 9, 2024.
This bill requires New Jersey's state-funded emergency food organizations (like major food banks) to allocate their state funds according to specific rules. At least 60% must support local distribution agencies (such as food pantries and soup kitchens), up to 30% can cover administrative costs or infrastructure, and 10% must be spent on New Jersey agricultural products or related investments. Food banks must develop data-informed plans for equitable support of local agencies and submit monthly reports on fund usage to the Office of the Food Security Advocate. These requirements are tied to continued funding, ensuring accountability in how state resources reach communities facing food insecurity.
This bill designates a 0.45-mile segment of State Highway Route 71 (from milepost 3.25 to 3.70) in Spring Lake Heights as the "John Tarantino Highway" to honor Angelo John Tarantino, a WWII veteran who served in major battles including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. The bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to install signs bearing this designation but explicitly prohibits using state funds for the signs. Instead, the Department of Transportation may only accept private donations or grants from non-governmental organizations to cover sign production, installation, and maintenance costs. The bill takes immediate effect and serves as a ceremonial tribute to Mr. Tarantino's military service and community involvement.
This bill establishes a new program (the "Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge" or RESIC) allowing New Jersey water and wastewater utilities to recover costs for specific environmental and infrastructure projects through a surcharge on customer bills. It covers costs related to compliance with environmental regulations (like clean water laws), installing new systems for public safety/resiliency, or replacing aging infrastructure, provided the projects are non-revenue producing and approved by the Board of Public Utilities. Utilities would calculate a surcharge based on approved investments, with a cap on total recoverable costs, and apply it over a six-month recovery period. The program directly affects investor-owned and qualifying municipal utilities providing water/wastewater service to over 1,000 customers outside their municipality. Note: This bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn the same day.
This bill, S 1389, would require businesses in New Jersey to notify consumers when collecting or disclosing their personal data, particularly for sensitive categories like biometric information, health details, precise location data, or financial information. It defines "personal data" broadly but excludes de-identified or publicly available information, and clarifies that "consent" must be clear, affirmative, and not obtained through deceptive practices ("dark patterns"). Businesses would need to provide clear disclosure about data use and allow consumers to opt out of certain disclosures, including data "sales" to third parties. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn the same day.
This bill (A2873) allows certain New Jersey airports to carry over unused grant funds from the Airport Safety Fund or the Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program into future years, preventing funds from being rescinded. It applies specifically to general aviation airports that received grants on or after January 1, 2019. To qualify, airports must obtain local approvals, submit an expenditure plan, ensure funds align with grant terms, and confirm compatibility with federal aid. The Commissioner of Transportation has sole discretion to approve carryovers, and the Department may create rules for implementation.
This bill (S 1064) would create a faster path for paraprofessionals currently working in New Jersey school districts to become certified teachers. It requires the State Board of Education to establish an alternate certification program that counts their existing classroom experience (like tutoring) toward student teaching requirements, allows them to keep their current job while completing training, and permits GPA waivers for qualified candidates. The program must be developed with input from education stakeholders, including teacher unions and school administrators. Note: The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, but was immediately withdrawn.
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program to improve sickle cell disease care in New Jersey, appropriating $10.2 million from the General Fund. The Department of Health will competitively select federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), prioritizing those in Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, Trenton, Camden, and other high-need areas, to develop comprehensive treatment programs. The program requires participating centers to provide coordinated care (including telehealth where permitted), build specialized medical workforce capacity, conduct outreach, promote awareness, and collect state-wide data on sickle cell disease incidence and healthcare use. Funds must be used for these purposes during the three-year pilot, with unspent funds reverting to the General Fund after expiration.
