Rep. Joe Casello

Operating Vehicles and Vessels Under the Influence; Revises conditions under which person commits offense of driving under influence or boating under influence; provides affirmative defense; revises condition that must be met before person arrested for driving under influence or boating under influence, respectively, may be released from custody; specified grounds for issuance of search warrant.

Educational Support Employee and Paraprofessional Teacher Certification; Creates Growing Teachers from Within Pilot Program within DOE; provides purpose for pilot program; requires school districts to apply to department by specified date in order to participate in pilot program; requires Commissioner of Education to select participating school districts based on specified criteria to participate in pilot program; requires commissioner to coordinate with certain state universities; specifies eligibility requirements for participation by school employees in pilot program; requires funding for pilot program to be used in specified manner; requires participating school districts to submit report to commissioner on annual basis; authorizes State Board of Education to adopt rules.

Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote; Provides for enactment of Agreement Among States to Elect President by National Popular Vote; provides method by which state may become member state; requires statewide popular election for President & Vice President of U.S.; establishes procedure for appointing presidential electors in member states; provides that agreement becomes effective upon occurrence of specified actions; provides for withdrawal of member state; requires notification of member states when agreement takes effect in nonmember state or when member state withdraws from agreement.

Comprehensive Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan; Requires DEP to develop comprehensive waste reduction & recycling plan based on certain department recommendations, convene technical assistance group for specified purpose, & submit report to Legislature upon completion of comprehensive plan.

Release of Adoption information; Authorizes only one avenue for disclosure of certain adoption related records without court order; removes authorization for certain adoption related records to be disclosed without court order; removes required fee for certain services & expenses; authorizes court to break seal of specified birth records upon request of certain persons under certain conditions.

Workers' Compensation Benefits for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Provides PTSD suffered by 911 public safety telecommunicator or crime scene investigator is compensable occupational disease; provides evidentiary standard required; specifies benefits do not require physical injury & are not subject to apportionment or limitations; provides requirements for benefits offered to 911 public safety telecommunicator or crime scene investigator for PTSD; specifies when claim for PTSD must be noticed; requires employing agencies to provide mental health training.

Exemptions for Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans; Expands eligibility for certain prorated refund.

Reproductive Health Care Rights; Provides that each person has certain fundamental rights relating to reproductive health care; prohibits person, state, local governmental entity, or any political subdivision of state from discriminating against, denying, unduly burdening, or interfering with person's exercise of such fundamental rights; provides for civil cause of action & remedies; provides that recovery limits of sovereign immunity apply; removes definition of term "fatal fetal abnormality"; revises timeframe in which termination of pregnancy is allowed.

Animal Cremation; Requires provider of companion animal cremation services to provide certain written description of services & include certification with cremated remains; requires referring persons or entities to provide copies of such written descriptions; provides for collection and deposit of civil penalties; provides circumstances under which person commits unfair or deceptive act or engages in unfair method of competition; provides for private right of action; authorizes DACS to take certain actions & adopt rules.

Child Water Safety Requirements; Provides that certain organizations that care for or supervise children must require parents or legal guardians to attest certain information in writing before taking children under their care or supervision to public bathing places or public swimming pools; provides requirements for such organizations when they conduct certain activities in public bathing places or public swimming pools; provides exception; provides for disciplinary action against such organizations for certain violations.