2008/2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

POVERTY

A.688/A.2664: Would provide for an annual cost-of-living increase in the gas and utility payments assistance programs.

S.1622: Requires that properties that were created as affordable housing units will maintain that designation even if the property is resold due to a foreclosure.

A.2513: Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to Community Food Pantry Fund.

S.1180: Establishes NJ Task Force on Coordinating and Funding Programs for the homeless.

A.1715: Removes license suspension penalty for persons with only one outstanding parking fine.

A.1744: Requires under Fair Housing Act that a certain percentage of affordable housing be reserved for very low-income households.

S.1302/A.1766 - Allows a court to revoke a driver’s license suspension for compelling circumstances. (SIGNED INTO LAW)

S.1302/A.1766: Allows a court to revoke a driver’s license suspension for compelling circumstances.

A.2108: Raises minimum wage to $7.40 an hour and then makes annual adjustments based on Consumer Price Index increases.

S.784: Raises minimum wage to $8.50 and then makes annual adjustments based on increases in the statewide average weekly wage.

A.2504: Prohibits a facility that provides cancer related diagnostic and treatment services from denying services to a patient on the basis of source of payment or inability to pay.

A.2292: Prohibits “English Only” rules in the workplace.  In addition, bars employment discrimination based upon family status.

A.118/S.96: Permits physicians to earn continuing medical education credits by providing free medical care to low income, uninsured patients.

A.1615: Provides for voluntary contributions to the Homelessness Prevention Program through real estate sales.

A.1411: Establishes the NJ Council on Child Poverty.

A.1740: Provides financial assistance for higher education expenses of former Work First NJ recipients after leaving the program.

A.1745: Appropriates $1 million to Dept. of Community Affairs for rental assistance.

A.1747: Provides for an annual inflation adjustment to the income eligibility limit under the state earned income tax credit.

A.699: Defines a minimum wage as “the average hourly wage for all in this state means one fortieth of the statewide average weekly wage paid to all workers under the unemployment compensation law”.

A.1030: Revises the mandatory license suspension for a first offense of driving without insurance from one year to a period of two months up to one year.

A.2618: The Homeless Housing Strategic Planning and Services Act of 2008.

S.1557/A.2624 – Expand eligibility for NJ Family Care. (SIGNED INTO LAW)

S.2176/S.1956/A.2934 – Allows persons affected by plant closings, transfers and mass layoffs to receive temporary suspension of payment of interest on mortgage loan.

S.2178 – Permits free access to certain job training courses for employees affected by plant closings, mass layoffs or transfer of operations.

S.1178 – Requires the enhancement of state government websites providing information to kinship caregivers.