New Jersey Bills

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 2619: Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution.

This bill restricts political contributions from legislative aides to their employing legislator. It prohibits aides (current or who worked for the legislator within the past two years) from giving more than $30 per election to the legislator's campaign, and bans the legislator or campaign from soliciting or accepting such contributions. Violating these limits is a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. The law directly affects legislative aides and campaign committees in New Jersey.

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 4531: Limits negotiated plea agreements for crime of burglary when firearm involved.

This bill prohibits prosecutors from negotiating plea agreements that reduce the sentence for burglary when a firearm was used during the offense. Currently, burglary involving a firearm is a second-degree crime, but the bill ensures defendants cannot receive a lighter sentence through plea deals - requiring them to face the standard sentencing for second-degree burglary as defined by law. The law defines "firearm" broadly to include items like air guns, spring guns, and other devices capable of causing injury. This directly affects individuals charged with burglary who used a firearm, eliminating the option of plea bargains for reduced penalties in these specific cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 3800: Bans certain children's products containing excessive amounts of lead, mercury, or cadmium.*

This bill bans the sale, distribution, import, or manufacture of children's products intended for children under six that contain lead, mercury, or cadmium. It requires manufacturers to issue immediate recalls if they discover such products, and retailers must remove recalled items from shelves within 48 hours and return inventory within 14 business days at the manufacturer's cost. Manufacturers must then destroy recalled products within 60 business days to prevent public access. Violations carry penalties including fines up to $20,000 for initial offenses, or criminal charges with up to 10 years in prison for repeated failures.

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 3060: Permits designation of special event zones for traffic regulation purposes during certain large events.

This bill allows state, county, and municipal authorities to designate "special event zones" around large automotive events (defined as events with 25+ attendees or approved by local government) for traffic regulation. Within these zones, authorities may temporarily reduce speed limits for safety and prohibit "exhibition driving" (reckless maneuvers like excessive skidding, engine noise, or roof riding). Violations of traffic rules - including speeding, careless driving, or exhibition driving - within these zones carry increased fines up to $1,000, or up to 60 days in jail for reckless driving. The zones remain active during the event and for a reasonable period before/after, with required signage informing the public of reduced speeds and penalties.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 3860: Establishes certain medical billing requirements concerning specific nature of charges or expenses for health care services.

This bill requires health care providers in New Jersey to give patients a clear, itemized billing statement within 30 days of discharge or 7 days after a written request. The statement must break down all charges in plain language - no vague terms like "miscellaneous" or "supply charges" - and list specific services, dates, provider names, costs, and payment status (e.g., covered by insurance or patient responsibility). It also mandates that providers explain technical terms and include a contact for billing disputes. These rules apply to hospitals, clinics, and health care professionals, directly affecting how patients receive and understand their medical bills.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 4529: Requires Attorney General to conduct study tracking residential burglaries and issue guidance to law enforcement and public.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to conduct a study on residential burglaries and issue annual reports to the governor and legislature. The reports must include detailed county-level data on burglary frequency, timing (day/night/weekend), weapon use, injuries, property value, and charges against adults or juveniles. The Attorney General must also summarize current law enforcement prevention efforts and provide recommendations for reducing burglaries. The initial report is due within six months of the bill's enactment, with annual updates thereafter.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 4527: Concerns keyless locking mechanisms and burglar's tools.

This bill amends New Jersey's burglary statute (N.J.S.2C:5-5) to explicitly include keyless locking mechanisms under the definition of "burglar's tools." It makes it a crime to manufacture, possess, or publish plans for tools designed to bypass keyless locks with the intent to commit burglary. Manufacturing such tools or publishing plans is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), while mere possession is a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months or $1,000 fine). The law directly affects individuals who create or distribute devices specifically intended to illegally access premises through keyless systems.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 3508: Requires child abuse reporting hotline maintained by DCPP to provide information on resources available to victims and families.

This bill requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to ensure its child abuse reporting hotline provides callers with information about available support resources for victims and their families. The hotline, which currently handles abuse reports, will now also share details on community services such as counseling, parenting programs, and substance abuse treatment. This change mandates that all hotline interactions include referrals to these assistance programs, directly helping families seeking immediate support after reporting abuse. The amendment applies to the emergency hotline maintained by DCPP and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 1844: Requires 60 day notice concerning tuition rate changes by licensed child care centers.

This bill requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey to provide parents or guardians with 60 days' written notice before increasing tuition rates. Centers must send the notice via certified mail (with return receipt), first-class mail, or in-person delivery to the parent's last known address, and also post it on their website and display it prominently at the center. The notice requirement applies to all tuition rate changes occurring three months after the bill's enactment. This directly affects parents of children enrolled in licensed child care centers by giving them advance warning of fee changes.

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 4409: Establishes "Mass Violence Care Fund."*

This bill establishes the "Mass Violence Care Fund" to provide financial assistance for victims of mass violence events. It appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to cover uncovered medical, mental health, funeral, and lost wage expenses for eligible victims - defined as individuals injured, killed, or who witnessed such events - when insurance or other sources don't pay. The fund, managed by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, will only pay for eligible expenses not covered elsewhere, with payments delayed up to three years after the event. A working group must develop eligibility rules within nine months, including defining "mass violence event" and covered costs. The fund's principal will be invested to generate sustainable annual returns for future use.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 4191: Protects access to assisted reproductive technology.

This bill adds the right to use assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), to New Jersey's constitutional protections for reproductive choice. It explicitly expands existing rights - previously covering contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy decisions - to include choosing whether to use ART. The law states that any state, county, or local law limiting this right is invalid and unenforceable. It directly affects all New Jersey residents seeking or providing ART services, reinforcing access amid legal challenges in other states like Alabama. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Sep 19, 2024

A 4654: Requires health benefits coverage for family planning and reproductive health care services, including early infancy care, without cost sharing.

This bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey, including Medicaid and state employee plans, to cover specific family planning and reproductive health services without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. It explicitly includes abortion (both aspiration and medication methods), emergency services for mothers/newborns, family planning counseling, genetic testing, pre/postpartum hospital care, and well-baby care. Childbirth itself is excluded from the required coverage. Religious employers may opt out under existing law, and exemptions for federal funding concerns are permitted but limited to the minimum necessary.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results