This bill requires longer prison sentences for individuals convicted twice before of receiving stolen property. It applies specifically to people with two or more prior separate convictions for this crime, regardless of when they occurred. The prosecutor must request an extended sentence if the current offense happened within 10 years of either the defendant's last release from prison or their most recent prior conviction. The court must hold a hearing before imposing this sentence, allowing the defendant to challenge the evidence. This changes sentencing by mandating extended terms for repeat offenders of this specific property crime.
This Assembly Resolution (AR 138) symbolically designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. It urges public officials and citizens to commemorate the month with appropriate activities, recognizing the contributions and struggles of LGBTQIA+ individuals (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and non-binary people). The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the community's achievements and ongoing advocacy. It follows similar designations by federal and state governments, emphasizing visibility and equality.
Senate Resolution 99, introduced by Senators Bob Smith and Linda Greenstein, urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish drinking water standards for microplastics and nanoplastics. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests the EPA adopt standards similar to its recent PFAS chemical regulations, noting the agency has not addressed these plastic particles despite a 2019 petition by over 280 environmental groups. It highlights that microplastics (tiny plastic particles under 5mm) and nanoplastics (even smaller particles under 1 micrometer) are increasingly found in water, food, and air, with potential health impacts like inflammation and cellular damage. The resolution is transmitted to the EPA Administrator and New Jersey’s environmental agency as a legislative expression of concern.
New Jersey's S 226 restricts shipping box sizes for large online retailers (annual sales ≥ $1 million) and major retailers (75,000+ sq ft, 50+ employees). It prohibits using boxes larger than twice the volume of the shipped product, with exceptions for consumer electronics (like computers or TVs) and minimum size requirements set by the USPS or carriers. Violations incur civil penalties of $250-$500 per offense, enforced through courts or the Department of Environmental Protection. The law aims to reduce excess packaging waste by targeting specific large-scale retailers, not all businesses.
SCR 110 is a legislative approval of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Plan. The bill formally approves the bank’s plan to finance eligible environmental projects, including clean water systems, drinking water infrastructure, stormwater management, and pollution control initiatives. This approval is required by law (under statutes P.L.1985, c.334 and P.L.1997, c.224) after the bank submitted its plan by the May 15, 2024 deadline. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but authorizes the bank to implement its existing financing strategy for approved projects.
This bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover abortion services without cost-sharing (such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance) for all individuals in the state. It applies to all health insurance carriers, state health benefit programs, and Medicaid, with limited exceptions for religious employers who request exclusions based on religious beliefs. The bill also prohibits medical malpractice insurers from taking adverse actions against providers who offer legally protected reproductive health care services, even if the patient is from a state where those services are illegal. It defines "abortion" as medical treatment to terminate a pregnancy (including medication and aspiration methods) and aims to remove financial barriers to access, particularly benefiting low-income individuals and other groups facing disproportionate access challenges.
This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 148) condemns Republican members of the U.S. Congress for failing to support Senate Bill 3612 (SB3612), a federal bill designed to protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies. The resolution specifically notes that 48 Republican senators voted against advancing SB3612 (which would have barred restrictions on IVF access and granted individuals rights to treatment and genetic material), while two Republicans supported it. It affirms New Jersey’s existing commitment to reproductive freedom, including full access to IVF services, as part of the state’s longstanding policy. The resolution serves as a formal statement to federal lawmakers, highlighting the contradiction between Republicans’ public support for IVF and their opposition to the federal legislative protection.
This bill requires public water systems to maintain a minimum free chlorine residual of 0.3 milligrams per liter at all times and conduct regular testing to prevent Legionella bacteria growth. It mandates water system operators to provide written notice to customers about disruptions that could increase Legionella risk and report such disruptions to the Department of Environmental Protection within 24 hours. Certain buildings - including hospitals, facilities treating immunocompromised individuals, buildings with spas or cooling towers, and structures over 10 stories - must implement water management programs following ASHRAE standards to minimize Legionella transmission. Building owners who fail to comply face penalties up to $2,000 for first violations and $10,000 for violations causing serious injury or death. The Department of Health must investigate Legionnaires' disease cases, develop public awareness campaigns, and publish annual reports on cases and prevention efforts.
SJR 122 designates July of each year as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey to recognize businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials, community leaders, and business leaders to observe the month with activities supporting these businesses. It aims to raise awareness of their economic contributions, which include 21.7% of state businesses owned by people of color and over 150 LGBTQ+-certified businesses. The bill does not create new programs but formally designates the month for annual observance.
This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 147) condemns the U.S. Supreme Court's 2024 ruling in *Garland v. Cargill*, which determined that bump stocks do not qualify as machine guns under federal law. It reaffirms New Jersey’s existing ban on bump stocks, established by P.L.2017, c.323, which prohibits their sale and possession as dangerous devices. The resolution states the Court’s decision undermines federal gun safety regulations and contradicts New Jersey’s commitment to public safety, citing the 2017 Las Vegas shooting where bump stocks were reportedly used. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but expresses the state’s position to lawmakers.
SJR 45 is a symbolic resolution designating June of each year as "Gun Violence Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or regulations but formally recognizes the issue through an annual observance. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation urging public officials, organizations, and citizens to hold awareness activities during June. It directly affects New Jersey residents and state officials through this ceremonial designation, with no financial or policy impacts. The bill passed the Senate in June 2024 and is now under review in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
This bill establishes a fellowship program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics for scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals with PhDs. It requires selecting at least four fellows annually to work one year with New Jersey's Legislature (two positions) or Executive Branch (two positions), providing stipends and benefits. The bill appropriates $360,000 for initial funding and $520,000 yearly starting in 2025 to cover stipends and program administration. It codifies an existing program into law with specific funding and placement requirements.
