This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create and update guidelines within 90 days for state and local agencies to use when purchasing goods made from recycled materials. The guidelines will recommend specific recycled content percentages for procurement contracts, potentially referencing existing U.S. EPA guidelines. State agencies and local governments must incorporate these guidelines into new product specifications for purchases, unless following them would increase contract costs. The bill applies to all state departments and local entities with procurement authority, but exempts local contracts where cost would rise.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create a free Bereavement Counseling Program for family members and volunteer caregivers of veterans who died by suicide. Family members include spouses, parents, children, or household residents, while volunteer caregivers must be 18+ members of a qualified veterans' organization who provided non-paid counseling care for at least three months before the veteran's death. The program will allow applications up to five years after the veteran's death, with approved participants receiving up to 24 months of counseling (max 30 hours per year) through DMVA-matched clinicians. DMVA will provide application information via Veteran Service Officers and funeral directors when a veteran's suicide death is known, and clinicians must donate their time with no cost to participants.
This bill requires hospitals, birthing centers, and healthcare providers in New Jersey to screen pregnant individuals and those who have given birth within six weeks for preeclampsia when symptoms are present. Providers must use screening tools based on industry best practices, provide information on preeclampsia symptoms, and obtain written consent or refusal using a standardized form. The Commissioner of Health must develop an educational program about preeclampsia and its warning signs, and providers must create a treatment plan if a screening result is positive. The bill directly affects pregnant people and postpartum individuals in New Jersey who show symptoms of preeclampsia.
This bill requires members of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to meet specific experience and training standards. At least two members must have three years of professional experience in energy policy, infrastructure, or utility regulation, while at least one must have three years in consumer advocacy or ratepayer representation. All members must complete 12 hours of annual training on topics like energy market trends, grid modernization, and renewable energy policies from accredited sources. The bill also mandates that appointments consider geographic diversity across urban, suburban, and rural areas.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to assess children's oral health using the Basic Screening Survey, developed by dental health professionals. It mandates DOH, with dental staff, to collect random data samples from every county biannually on oral health status of preschool and school-aged children, with parental consent required for any data collection. All data must comply with privacy laws, and DOH must submit biennial reports to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations. The survey is a screening tool to identify obvious dental issues, not a clinical exam or treatment plan. The bill directly affects children's oral health monitoring across New Jersey.
This bill establishes clear standards for New Jersey courts to determine if a rent increase is "unconscionable" (extremely unfair) when challenged by tenants. Courts must consider factors like the rent amount, landlord expenses (including maintenance and insurance), local market rates, tenant bargaining power, and property condition. Landlords must prove increases are fair, and court records from tenant victories in eviction cases are kept private unless landlords win at trial. The bill excludes rent-controlled properties and affordable housing programs from these rules and takes effect immediately, except for the record confidentiality provision which starts six months after enactment.
This is a ceremonial joint resolution (AJR 171) honoring John Sterling, a New Jersey resident and longtime New York Yankees radio broadcaster. It commemorates his 36-season career, including calling over 5,400 Yankees games since 1989, and his signature style like the "Sterling Shake" and "Theee Yankees win" calls. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation to recognize Sterling's impact on baseball broadcasting, as he retired in April 2024 and resides in Bergen County, New Jersey. It has no legal effect or policy changes, serving solely as a symbolic tribute.
New Jersey's A4857 extends the state's anti-SLAPP law to protect individuals who report sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination in good faith. This bill specifically covers people who make such reports under the Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.10:5-1 et seq.) or sexual offense laws (N.J.S.2C:24-4), even if no criminal case follows. Complainants can use anti-SLAPP procedures to quickly dismiss retaliatory lawsuits filed against them, and if successful, recover legal costs, attorney fees, and potentially damages. The law aims to reduce fear of retaliation that may prevent victims from reporting misconduct.
This bill (A5545) changes New Jersey law to allow soil conservation districts to have more than five supervisors, removing the current fixed limit. It gives the State Soil Conservation Committee the authority to set a maximum number of supervisors for each district based on local needs. The change affects all 20 New Jersey soil conservation districts, which currently must have exactly five supervisors appointed by the committee. The amendment updates R.S. 4:24-18 to state districts must have "at least five" supervisors, with the committee determining the maximum.
This bill requires all New Jersey hospitals with inpatient maternity services and licensed birthing centers to provide lactation counseling to people who have given birth before their discharge. Specifically, facilities must offer either an in-person one-on-one consultation with a certified lactation specialist or a remote consultation via live voice if requested. The counseling must include breastfeeding education, support, care planning, instruction on breastfeeding techniques, recommendations for assistive devices, and health benefit information. The bill ensures lactation specialists cannot be reassigned to non-lactation duties during their shifts and defines "lactation consultant" and "lactation counselor" by specific certification standards.
This bill requires owners and operators of rooming and boarding houses to follow local zoning, fire, health, and building regulations - previously exempt from such oversight. It specifically adds a requirement for cooperative sober living residences to submit written approvals from local authorities (zoning, fire, health, and building) when applying for a state Class F license. The bill amends existing law to explicitly subject these facilities to municipal land use regulations, removing an exemption that previously prevented such oversight. These changes directly affect property owners and operators of these housing types in New Jersey.
AJR 62 designates the first week of May each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the week with activities promoting awareness of children's mental health. It aims to reduce stigma and improve access to treatment for children with mental health disorders, as highlighted in the bill's rationale about their vulnerability to school suspensions, substance use, and justice system involvement. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic annual observance.
