The following items are taken from reports issued by legislators and other items of political concern.
Safety inspections
Legislation Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, D-Camden, Burlington, sponsored to improve the state’s ability to respond to large-scale natural disasters has been released by an Assembly panel.
The bill (A3694), modeled after successful approaches used in 26 other states, would bolster safety inspections in the aftermath of disasters like Sandy, the scale of which can easily overwhelm local governments.
”Whether it is tornadoes in Alabama, earthquakes in California or hurricanes in New Jersey, good Samaritan laws are critical in ensuring a safe, effective and speedy response to major natural disasters,” Assemblyman Greenwald said. “By passing a good Samaritan law in New Jersey, we will better prepare our state to respond rapidly and efficiently to the next Superstorm Sandy.”
Assemblyman Greenwald’s legislation would shield licensed architects and professional engineers from liability when they help local governments respond to major natural disasters.
”When our communities are in crisis after a natural disaster, they need all the help they can get,” Assemblyman Greenwald said. “Yet the potential for massive lawsuits keeps these critically needed volunteers on the sidelines. By enacting a good Samaritan law, we will promote public safety while greatly strengthening our state’s ability to effectively respond to disasters.”
According to a 2013 article in Crain’s New York Business, nearly 400 architects stood ready to use their professional expertise to assist in assessing storm-damaged properties in New York City days after Superstorm Sandy hit.
But the specter of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in potential lawsuit liability deterred the vast majority from volunteering their assistance, leaving local officials overwhelmed by the scale of the task.
Without a good Samaritan law, New Jersey faces a similar problem.
In contrast, Alabama’s good Samaritan law, enacted in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, was crucial in the aftermath of devastating tornadoes that killed 64 people and caused $2.2 billion in damage in April 2011. In response to the devastating category EF-4 tornado, more than 200 professionals volunteered nearly 1,300 hours in Tuscaloosa alone, inspecting more than 7,000 buildings for safety — critical assistance given the municipality’s limited staff resources.
Under the bill, licensed architects or professional engineers would remain liable for the full extent of damages caused by their own acts or omissions that are wanton, willful or grossly negligent.
The bill was released by the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee.
MV fees
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Cleopatra G. Tucker, D-Essex, and Gilbert “Whip” L. Wilson, D-Camden, Gloucester, to exempt prisoners of war and their spouses from paying certain service fees required by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has been released by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
”This is a small gesture of gratitude for the great sacrifice made by our soldiers, particularly the ones who endured imprisonment during combat,” said Assemblywoman Tucker, who chairs the committee. “The harsh realities they must have faced as prisoners of war are hard to imagine. This is one way to let them know that we have not forgotten their struggle and recognize their resolve and bravery.”
”Many soldiers who bravely answered the call of duty have suffered the severe consequences of enemy captivity while defending our country,” said Assemblyman Wilson, who also sits on the committee. “The incredible sacrifice made by these soldiers and their families should not be forgotten. Exempting these soldiers from having to pay these fees is a simple way to honor their service and courage.”
Under the bill (A4141), prisoners of war, their spouses or their surviving spouses are exempt from paying MVC vehicle registration fees in recognition of their service and sacrifice. The bill permits spouses of prisoners of war to obtain POW license plates and expands the POW license plate fee exemption to include spouses and surviving spouses of prisoners of war.
School alarms
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Ralph R. Caputo, Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Ruben J. Ramos Jr., L. Grace Spencer, Cleopatra Tucker, Annette Quijano and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to require public elementary and secondary schools in New Jersey to be equipped with a panic alarm and red emergency light for use in a school security emergency has been approved by an Assembly committee.
”Time is of the essence when it comes to school security emergencies,” said Assemblyman Caputo, D-Essex, who introduced the bill in the wake of the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. “Directly linking a panic alarm to local law enforcement authorities to enable them to respond quicker is common sense. It’s commonplace technology and something that should be done to better protect our children.”
The bill (A3691) requires all public elementary and secondary schools be equipped with a panic alarm for use in a school security emergency, including, but not limited to, a nonfire evacuation, lockdown or active shooter situation. The alarm would be an addition to existing security systems.
”Just last month, a school shooting in Nevada left a teacher dead and two young students wounded,” said Assemblyman Diegnan, D-Middlesex. “We must do everything we can to protect our kids and our teachers. This is one incremental remedy, but it can be put in place economically and quickly. There is no excuse for delay.”
”Police response time is crucial during an emergency,” said Assemblyman Ramos, D-Hudson. “When activated, the panic alarm would send an alert directly to local authorities, providing a quicker response and giving students and staff members a better chance of escaping a threat unharmed.”
”The last thing you want to do in an emergency is make an already chaotic situation worse,” said Assemblywoman Spencer, D-Essex. “The alarm and red light would quietly signal law enforcement to an emergency at the school without tipping off an intruder and increasing the risk to students and staff members.”
”It’s a sad reality, but we must equip our schools against the potential threat of an armed intruder,” said Assemblywoman Tucker, D-Essex. “These emergency systems help give students, parents and staff the peace of mind that in the case of an emergency, there is a direct link to local law enforcement.”
”A quick response from law enforcement to an emergency can make all the difference in the outcome,” said Assemblywoman Quijano, D-Union. “We owe it to these children and the adults charged with their care to have help arrive as soon as possible if they are ever confronted with a life-and-death situation.”
”In an emergency, every minute counts. It is particularly crucial when children are involved,” said Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen. “Too many schools have been targeted, and too many innocent people have paid the price. Beefing up school security to better protect our children is a necessity.”
The bill defines a panic alarm as a silent security system signal that can be manually activated to signal a life-threatening or emergency situation that requires a response from law enforcement.
The alarm, which would not be audible within the school building, must be directly linked to local law enforcement and immediately transmit a signal or message to the authorities upon activation. In the case of a school building located in a municipality where there is no police department, the panic alarm would be linked to a location designated by the superintendent of State Police.
The bill also requires that a red emergency light be affixed to the exterior of all public elementary and secondary school buildings in a highly visible location above or near the front entrance visible from the nearest public road. In the case of a school building that is not clearly visible from the nearest public road, the emergency light would be located on that public road. The light would be linked to the school’s panic alarm so it turns on when the alarm is activated.
Under the bill, the full cost of these systems shall be funded by the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued to fund the state share of the costs of Schools Development Authority district school facilities projects or the state share of the costs of school facilities projects in all other districts.
The bill was released by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Police cameras
Legislation Assembly Democrats Paul Moriarty, Charles Mainor, Angel Fuentes, Pamela Lampitt and Gabriela Mosquera sponsored that eventually would equip all police cars in New Jersey with cameras has been advanced by an Assembly panel.
The bill (A4193) comes after Assemblyman Moriarty’s own personal experience.
Assemblyman Moriarty, D-Gloucester, Camden, was charged with drunken driving and other charges in July 2012 in Washington Township, but Assemblyman Moriarty told police he had nothing to drink that day.
Dashboard camera video from the officer’s car showed Assemblyman Moriarty did not cut off the officer, as the officer claimed, and showed Assemblyman Moriarty passing sobriety tests without problem.
The charges against Assemblyman Moriarty were dismissed in early May, and the officer who filed the allegations now has been indicted on 14 criminal counts accusing him of making a false arrest of Assemblyman Moriarty and lying to support his claims.
”Having a visual record of a traffic stop provides the best evidence for police to use in court,” Assemblyman Moriarty said. “The video doesn’t lie. It doesn’t forget what is said. It is impartial and may, in fact, help reduce protracted court cases and litigation. To not have a visual recorder in police cars used for traffic stops is like having an office desk without a computer.”
He added, “Without that dashboard camera, who knows how my case would have proceeded, and that’s a scary thought. I am grateful to have been afforded the protection that camera provided, but I realize not everyone has been as fortunate. I now want to make sure everyone in New Jersey eventually gets that same benefit and ability to protect their rights.”
The bill would require new or used municipal police vehicles that are purchased, leased or otherwise acquired on or after the bill’s effective date to be equipped with cameras. Specifically, under the provisions of the bill, municipal police vehicles that primarily are used for traffic stops are required to be equipped with a mobile video recording system.
”In this day and age of technology, this is common sense, really,” said Assemblyman Mainor, D-Hudson. “This technology is affordable and readily available so let’s put it to good use for everyone’s benefit.”
”Motorists who do the right thing and police officers who do their jobs the right way have nothing to worry about from this bill,” said Assemblyman Fuentes, D-Camden, Gloucester. “Plus, under this bill, the taxpayers don’t have to pay for this added protection.”
The bill increases the surcharge imposed on persons convicted of drunken driving. The additional surcharge is payable to the municipality where the conviction was obtained for the cost of equipping police vehicles with cameras as required by this bill.
”This is the right thing to do for everyone,” said Assemblywoman Lampitt, D-Camden, Burlington. “It protects motorists, but it also would protect police officers from false claims of harassment and abuse. That’s just as important. In the end, everybody wins.”
”We have this technology available for the benefit of everyone so we should use it in a sensible way,” said Assemblywoman Mosquera, D-Gloucester, Camden. “We know these cameras can protect motorists and police officers so let’s make this reality, especially knowing the taxpayers won’t have to pay for it. It’s the right thing to do for everyone.”
The bill was released by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee chaired by Assemblyman Mainor.
Equal tuition
Legislation to allow New Jersey DREAMers — young people who are undocumented, but were brought to the United States as children — to pay in-state tuition rates at the state’s higher education institutions and to qualify for state financial aid has been approved by the Senate.
Sponsored by Senate Education Chairwoman M. Teresa Ruiz, Legislative Latino Caucus Chairwoman Nellie Pou, Higher Education Chairwoman Sandra Cunningham and Senate President Steve Sweeney, the bill is intended to provide higher education opportunities to young people, which will strengthen the state’s future workforce and its economy.
The legislation would make New Jersey the 17th state in the nation to provide college access to undocumented students by allowing them to qualify for in-state tuition rates.
”One of the greatest equalizing factors in this country is education,” said Sen. Ruiz, D-Essex. “Students who attend our K-12 system should have the same opportunity as their peers to attend college, regardless of their documentation. This legislation is about equality and fairness, and it’s about who are in the state of New Jersey. As we work to build a stronger workforce and ensure our state is competitive in a 21st-century economy, college accessibility and affordability for all New Jersey students must be part of the equation.”
”DREAMers are New Jerseyans in every way,” said Sen. Pou, D-Passaic and Bergen. “Allowing these students to pay in-state tuition rates and to apply for financial aid will give them the ability to go to college, earn a good living and to contribute to the shared goal of creating a better New Jersey for all residents. This is the right thing to do from both a moral and economic perspective. It will make certain that all of our young people are given the chance to reach their potential and to make a positive impact in our state.”
”These young people have attended New Jersey schools, many of them from kindergarten through graduation,” said Sen. Cunningham, D-Hudson. “It makes no sense to invest in their education during these years and then slam the door on their dreams of obtaining a higher education. Providing equal access to college will allow them to get good-paying jobs and to contribute to a stronger and more prosperous New Jersey.”
”Higher education is the best pathway to achieving the American dream,” said Senate President Sweeney. “The DREAM Act is aptly named. We have a crisis in terms of college affordability and student debt. Higher education cannot continue to be a luxury. College is an economic necessity, and every family in New Jersey should be able to afford it. Every family. This legislation will allow every child the opportunity to achieve the American dream.”
The bill (S2479) will allow a student, including a student without documentation, to pay in-state tuition at the state’s public institutions of higher education and to participate in state financial aid programs administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and the secretary of Higher Education, if the student:
• Attended high school in this state for three or more years.
• Graduated from a high school in this state or attained the equivalent of a high school diploma in the state.
• Registers as an entering student or is currently enrolled in a public institution of higher education not earlier than the fall semester of the 2013-14 academic year.
• In the case of a person without documentation, files an affidavit with the institution of higher education, stating the student has filed an application to legalize his immigration status or will file an application as soon as he is eligible to do so.
Currently, 16 states have provisions allowing in-state tuition rates for undocumented students. Fourteen states provide these rates through state legislation: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. Oklahoma and Rhode Island allow in-state tuition rates to undocumented students through Board of Regents decisions.
The bill would take effect immediately. Eligibility for student financial aid programs would take effect in the 2014-15 academic year. The Senate approved the legislation by a vote of 25-12.
Full-day K
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Mila Jasey, Ralph Caputo and Troy Singleton to explore the establishment of full-day kindergarten statewide in New Jersey moved one step closer to final legislative approval after it was approved by the full Senate.
”We know that the benefits of early education include not only the building blocks of learning, but critical socialization skills and the advantages of preschool attendance (and) are well-documented,” said Assemblywoman Jasey, D-Essex, Morris. “A comprehensive study of full-day kindergarten is needed to determine how best to insure that all of our state’s children reap the benefit of a public school system with uniform standards from the start of their education.”
The bill (A3972) would establish a 21-member task force to study and evaluate issues associated with the establishment and implementation of full-day kindergarten.
The task force would be charged with studying issues including, but not limited to:
• Review of existing research, studies and data concerning full-day kindergarten, including studies that examine the long-term academic impact and the social and emotional impact of full-day kindergarten.
• Implementation issues associated with full-day kindergarten, including but not limited to, staffing needs, facility space and class size.
• Funding needed for full-day kindergarten, including sources of funding.
• Curriculum comparisons between full-day kindergarten and half-day kindergarten.
• Opinions and recommendations of parents and elementary school teachers regarding full-day kindergarten.
• Feasibility of offering full-day kindergarten in school districts statewide.
”A full day of kindergarten instruction has shown to help students not just academically, but socially,” said Assemblyman Caputo, D-Essex. “There are already too many achievement gaps that unfairly disadvantage some students. If full-day kindergarten has the potential to create a better foundation for our students, then we should look into it. This is an investment in the future of our children.”
”Research shows there are plenty of benefits to full-day kindergarten, including a smoother transition to first-grade and higher academic achievements in later grades,” said Assemblyman Singleton, D-Burlington. “These early years are critical for children. It behooves us to look at this data and the advantages of implementing full-day kindergarten throughout the state, especially when some are already enjoying the benefits.”
The task force would be comprised of the commissioner of education; one member appointed by the Senate president and one member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, both of whom shall be members of the public with demonstrated expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force; one member appointed by the Assembly speaker and one member appointed by the minority leader of the Assembly, both of whom shall be members of the public with demonstrated expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force; and 16 members appointed by the governor, including three superintendents of schools, two elementary school principals, two kindergarten teachers, one member recommended by the New Jersey Education Association, one member recommended by the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, one member recommended by the New Jersey School Boards Association, one member recommended by the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, one member recommended by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, one member recommended by the Garden State Coalition of Schools and three members of the public with expertise related to the work of the task force with at least one a parent.
The task force would be required to issue a final report with its findings and recommendations to the governor and the Legislature within one year of its organization.
The bill was approved 35-0 by the full Senate. A previous version of the bill was approved by the Assembly in June, but was amended so it must head back to the Assembly for final approval.

