What’s Important to Know About NJ This Week -01/06/2023

Jan 6, 2024

Affordable Housing Reform Pushed Back, Infertility Treatment & Insurance Coverage, Grief Instruction in Schools, Liquor License Reform and Legislative Pay Raises

Affordable Housing Bill Pushed to Next Legislative Session

From the New Jersey Monitor

The Senate won’t consider legislation making sweeping changes to the state’s affordable housing system before the Legislature’s session ends Tuesday, though the proposal is likely to return soon, its prime Senate sponsor said.

Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Burlington), the sponsor, said “nuanced policy disagreements” had snagged the bill, which would eliminate the defunct Council on Affordable Housing and restrict lawsuits that can force development, among numerous other changes. Read More

Bill Requiring that Insurers Cover Infertility Treatment Advances

From the New Jersey Monitor

The proposal, which has bipartisan support, would exempt individual and small employer health insurance markets. Covered services would include intrauterine insemination, genetic testing, embryo transfers, and other fertility services recommended by a physician in accordance with American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines. Read More

School Districts Will Be Required to Provide Instruction on Grief

From NJ Education Report:

Today Governor Phil Murphy signed S3330/A5015, which requires school districts to provide instruction on grief as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. Under the bill, New Jersey’s public schools will be required to provide instruction for students in grades 8 through 12, on, at a minimum, the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of grief; coping mechanisms and techniques for handling grief and loss; and resources available to students, including in-school support, mental health crisis support, and individual and group therapy. Read More

Progress on Liquor License Reform
From northjersey.com

The legislation would allow New Jersey breweries, cideries, meaderies and craft distilleries to hold an unlimited number of on-premises special events and private parties as well as 25 off-premises special events and 25 social affair events.

It also would allow them to offer certain types of food and coordinate with food vendors. Read More

Bill Giving State Lawmakers Raises Continues to Move Forward
From ABC Action News

If the bill passes, lawmakers in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate would go from a $49,000 annual salary to $82,000 starting in 2026.

New Jersey’s governor – another position which hasn’t seen a raise since 2002 – would go from $175,000 to $210,000 starting in 2026.

That would be after Governor Phil Murphy leaves office. Read More