New Jersey Bills

passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 25, 2025

S 3561: Permits procurement of medical countermeasures, products, and therapeutics.

This bill allows New Jersey's Department of Health to directly purchase medical countermeasures, supplies, and therapeutics under federal programs when needed for public health and safety. It permits the Commissioner of Health to bypass standard procurement rules (like those in P.L.1954, c.48) and federal contract requirements to make these purchases immediately. The bill also lets the Commissioner quickly adopt temporary regulations (effective up to 18 months) without full administrative review to implement this authority. It directly affects the Department of Health and its Commissioner, streamlining access to critical medical resources during health emergencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SR 100: Urges federal government to raise federal poverty line for public assistance programs.

SR 100 is a New Jersey Senate resolution urging the federal government to update the official poverty line used to determine eligibility for public assistance programs. It argues the current poverty line, established in the 1960s and based solely on food costs, no longer reflects modern expenses like housing, healthcare, and transportation. The resolution states this outdated measure excludes nearly 53 million households facing basic needs shortages from accessing programs like Medicaid and food assistance, despite only 37.9 million being officially counted as poor. By raising the poverty line to better reflect living costs, the resolution aims to expand access to these critical programs for low-income households. As a resolution, it does not change federal policy but formally requests federal action.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 10, 2025

A 2623: "Home Business Jobs Creation Act"; classifies certain home businesses as permitted accessory uses.

This bill permits certain home-based businesses to operate as "permitted accessory uses" in residential zones across New Jersey, directly affecting homeowners running small businesses from their homes. It sets specific conditions: the business must be compatible with residential neighborhoods, limit visitor traffic and deliveries to normal residential levels, avoid visible signage or parking, and not create noise, pollution, or illegal activity. Municipalities may establish minor local standards for visitor volume or traffic but cannot override existing ordinances that conflict with these state guidelines. The bill does not apply to common interest communities (like condos with deed restrictions) that already prohibit home businesses, nor does it limit municipalities' authority to address neighborhood nuisances.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 10, 2025

A 2803: Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.

This bill allows health care professionals licensed in other states to practice in New Jersey while their New Jersey licensure applications are being processed. It applies to a wide range of professionals including physicians, nurses, counselors, therapists, and other health care practitioners. The bill requires these professionals to immediately notify New Jersey authorities if their out-of-state license is suspended or disciplined, with a $500 daily penalty for failing to provide this notice. It also establishes temporary licenses for recent health care graduates (within six months of graduation) to practice under supervision while awaiting full licensure.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 10, 2025

A 2196: Requires outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by, or on behalf of State, or at projects receiving State funds, to meet certain criteria.

This bill requires outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by the State or at projects receiving State funds to meet specific environmental and efficiency standards. It mandates the use of fully shielded fixtures to prevent upward light pollution, limits light output to necessary levels (not exceeding recommended illuminance), and requires full cutoff fixtures for lights exceeding 1,800 lumens. Temporary exceptions apply for emergencies, nighttime work, or safety needs, and the Department of Transportation must assess whether reflective road markers could replace lighting on roadways. The goal is to reduce energy waste, minimize light trespass and glare, and protect New Jersey's natural nighttime environment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 3, 2025

AJR 63: Designates January 13 of each year as Korean American Day in New Jersey.

AJR 63 designates January 13 of each year as Korean American Day in New Jersey to commemorate the arrival of the first Korean immigrants on January 13, 1903. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging state officials and citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs. It recognizes Korean Americans' historical contributions to the U.S. economy, military service across multiple conflicts, and cultural achievements, including their role in strengthening U.S.-Korea relations. This is a commemorative resolution with no direct policy changes or financial impact.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Veterans

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 3, 2025

A 5086: Revises penalty for underage gambling to be civil penalty; provides for all associated fines to be used for gambling addiction treatment.

This bill (A-5086) changes penalties for underage gambling in New Jersey from criminal offenses to civil fines. It applies directly to: (1) minors who gamble at casinos/simulcasting facilities (under age 21), (2) casino employees/licensees who allow underage gambling, and (3) adults who permit minors under their care to gamble. The key provisions set fines at up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent offenses. All collected fines will fund gambling addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs through the Department of Human Services, specifically supporting initiatives like those run by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 3, 2025

A 3879: Requires signs to be posted in emergency rooms regarding VCCO.*

This bill (A3879) requires all emergency departments in New Jersey general hospitals and licensed satellite emergency departments to post visible signs and distribute pamphlets about the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The Commissioner of Health, working with the Attorney General, must create clear, easy-to-understand materials listing VCCO services, contact details, and how to file a claim. These materials must be provided to individuals treated in emergency rooms following a crime. The law directly affects crime victims seeking compensation assistance after an emergency room visit. It takes effect four months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 3, 2025

A 1929: Clarifies that law concerning requirements for closure of private career school applies to certain schools licensed by New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

This bill clarifies that New Jersey's existing law requiring private career schools to have orderly closure plans - including a teach-out plan for student transfers - applies to cosmetology and hairstyling schools licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. It mandates the Board to develop a standard model teach-out plan by September 1, 2023, to help students transfer to another school if their program closes abruptly. The law applies retroactively to September 1, 2021, ensuring these schools must now comply with closure requirements for all closures occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 290: Extends protected tenancy period for certain tenants who are senior citizens and certain tenants with disabilities.

This bill extends lifetime protected tenancy for senior citizens (62+ years old) and disabled tenants when their rental building is converted to condominium or cooperative ownership. It applies to tenants who have lived in the unit for at least one year before conversion and meet income requirements. The law prevents forced evictions and rent hikes solely due to conversion, ensuring these vulnerable tenants can remain in their homes without disruption to their health and community ties. The protection lasts for the tenant's lifetime, addressing concerns about housing instability for seniors and disabled residents amid rising costs and economic challenges.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 1411: Requires stress testing on State's ability to provide services in various economic conditions.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to conduct a comprehensive stress test analysis every three years, assessing the state's ability to maintain essential services during economic shifts like recessions. The analysis must project funding sources (taxes, federal aid), compare them to historical trends, evaluate spending changes, account for state reserves (including the Surplus Revenue Fund), and identify recession response options. The results must be published online and included in the Governor's annual budget proposal. This applies directly to state government operations and indirectly affects all New Jersey residents by ensuring fiscal transparency and preparedness for economic challenges.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 30, 2025

A 3791: The "New Jersey Online Foreclosure Sale Act;" permits online foreclosure sales for real property.

This bill (A3791, the "New Jersey Online Foreclosure Sale Act") permits sheriffs and authorized officials to conduct foreclosure sales of real property through online auctions, replacing in-person sales. Key provisions require online sales to display bids publicly in real-time, cap vendor fees at $1,000 per sale (including a $50 processing fee), and mandate a non-electronic bidding option (e.g., paper bids). It affects homeowners facing foreclosure, lenders seeking recovery, and sheriffs managing sales by adding online sales as an authorized method while maintaining traditional notice requirements. The bill does not change foreclosure timelines but aims to increase bidder participation and potentially higher sale prices for debtors and creditors.

Bill results