January 29th Weekly Update

Friday, January 29^th

NJ Weekly Newsletter

New Jersey Update

This afternoon, Governor Murphy held a press conference and reported an additional 5,023 positive COVID-19 PCR tests increasing the statewide total to 615,202. An additional 83 confirmed deaths were announced, increasing the statewide total to 19,254 with 2,129 probable deaths due to COVID-19. The positivity rate is at 8.37% as of Monday and the rate of transmission is at 0.91. Governor Murphy added that total hospitalizations and total ventilator usage are decreasing.

The Commissioner of the Department of Health, Judy Persichilli, is quarantining for 14 days due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19. Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Health, David Adinaro, attended the press conference on her behalf.

The Governor announced that the demand of the vaccination is significantly higher than the supply. As the federal allotment of the vaccination increases, we can make more appointments available to NJ residents. There was a technical issue on the vaccination registration site causing double booking yesterday and several appointments needed to be cancelled.

Johnson & Johnson held a clinical vaccine trial resulting in 72% efficacy across U.S. and 85% efficacy in preventing severe cases of COVID-19 after 28 days. The vaccination would provide complete protection against hospitalization or death after 28 days, and would provide against a severe case after 49 days. The trial accounted for every known variant of COVID-19. This vaccination is a 1-dose vaccination not requiring cold-chain storage and, if approved, could provide 100 million doses by the end of June.

CVS and Walgreens are holding clinics to vaccinate those in longterm care facilities. 113,275 total vaccinations have already been administered via these clinics.

Governor Murphy announced insterstate youth indoor sports competitions remain prohibited in NJ.

He also announced the time for NJ residents to enroll in health insurance through COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period has been extended from January 31st to May 15th. Visit getcovered.nj.gov for additional information, following the Biden Administration’s announcement of the expanded timeframe for ACA enrollment.

The Department of Labor has experienced a slight decrease in initial claims of unemployment. Over 2 million applications have been submitted since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with $21.7 billion paid to eligible workers.

The Department of Human Services has extended COVID-19 child-care assistance programs through the end of February. Visit childcarenj.gov for more information.

The Governor announced today is Earned Income Tax Credit Day and advised all to visit njeitc.org to see if you are eligible and to claim your credit.

Governor Murphy highlighted a few items regarding vaccination appointments:

If your 1st dose appointment was scheduled through covid19nj.gov/vaccine, your 2nd dose appointment was automatically scheduled and you will receive a confirmation email
If your 1st dose appointment was scheduled directly with a vaccination site, and you did not schedule a 2nd appointment, contact the vaccination site
if you are uncertain, beginning this weekend, you can contact the Vaccination Call Center from 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week at (855) 568-0545.

On Monday, January 25th, First Lady Tammy Murphy unveiled the Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Plan. The initiative aims to reduce the high rates of infant and maternal mortality and eliminate the racial disparities responsible for these deaths. The goal of the initiative is to make NJ the safest and most equitable place in the nation to deliver and raise a baby. To view the Governor's press release regarding the initiative, click here.

Vaccine Distribution Information and Notices from NJ DOH

General Information

Fact Sheet: Phases of Vaccine Distribution

EUA Fact Sheet for COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients and Caregivers [Pfizer/BioNTech] [Moderna]

COVID-19 Vaccine Plan at a Glance

COVID-19 Vaccines: Know the Facts

What is a POD?

Keeping Track of COVID-19 Vaccine through NJIIS

Healthcare Provider Toolkit

Information for Long-Term Care Facilities

CDC Long-Term Care Facility Vaccine Toolkit

Policy, Guidance, and Directives

Expectations for Population Prioritization at Hospital-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Points of Dispensing (December 10, 2020)
Executive Directive 20-035 New Jersey Vaccine Education and Prioritization Plan
COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility Expansion to Phase 1B First Responders (January 8, 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility Expansion to Phase 1B Persons Aged 65 and Older and to Phase 1B Persons Aged 16 and Older with a High-Risk Chronic Medical Condition (January 13, 2021)

NJ News Quick Links

Governor's Notices

Executive Order 216: Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order on Petition Requirements for Upcoming Elections, Including the June Primary Election
Completion Of First Community Solar Project
Murphy Signs E.O. On Healthcare Affordability
Executive Order 217: Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Advancing Health Care Affordability Efforts
Extension Of ACA Enrollment Period Announced
Murphy Announces Investigation At Edna Mahan
Key Stakeholders and Advocates Come Out in Support of First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan

Department Notices

Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Department of Health

Statement from Department of Health Communications Director Donna Leusner

Department of Human Services

Please click here for a list of Governor Murphy's Press Releases

Federal and National Update

National News Links:

Click here for White House Briefings & Statements

Click here for the Latest Updates from the CDC

NJ Legislative Update

Assembly Education Committee (1/25/2021)

A4264 Clayton Model Pilot Prog.-estab.; provide school-based social emotional learning - passed w/ amendments

A4783 Teachers-grants reciprocity with certain out-of-state certificates - passed w/ amendments

A4856 School websites & web services-req. to be accessible to persons w/disabilities - passed w/ amendments

A5126 Public schooling during COVID-19-Comm. of Education prepare learning loss report - passed

A5147 Alleviating Learning Loss Grant Prog-estab; assist in certain education programs - passed

S2486 Clayton Model Pilot Prog.-estab.; provide school-based social emotional learning - passed w/ amendments

S3214 Public schooling during COVID-19-Comm. of Education prepare learning loss report - passed

Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (1/25/2021)

A4623 Discharge designation-DMVA assist memb discharged due to LGBTQ status to change - passed

A5174 Veterans' Memorial Homes Oversight Board-creates - passed w/ amendments

A5177 Bereavement Counseling Prog for family/caregivers of certain vet-req DMVA create - passed

A5178 Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Office-submit annual report to vet fac oversight bd - passed

Assembly Labor Committee (1/25/2021)

A1571 Prevailing wage-public work on properties receiving tax abatement or exemptions - substituted for A1576 - passed

A2617 Injured worker who has reached maximum medical improvement-concerns employment - passed

A4008 Apprenticeship training-provide secondary classroom experience credit - passed w/ amendments

Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (1/25/2021)

A1354 Learner's permit, special-establishes cert additional examination & requirements - passed

A4521 Motor veh. cert of ownership & salvage cert-proh MVC requiring power of attorney - passed w/ amendments

Assembly Women and Children Committee (1/25/2021)

A1073 Preeclampsia testing for certain pregnant women & women who have given birth-req - passed

A1077 Postpartum depression screening-DOH develop and implement plan, improve access - passed w/ amendments

A3633 Postpartum information-establishes requirements and develop care plans - passed

Assembly Judiciary Committee (1/25/2021)

A3036 Affidavit of merit-plaintiff obtain in malpractice suit against enrolled agent - passed

A4640 Standby guardianship-revises law for minor child or ward - passed w/ amendments

A4771 Drug court-expands offenses eligible for expungement upon successful discharge - passed

AJR182 Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties & the Constitution-designates January 30 - passed

Assembly Agriculture Committee (1/25/2021)

A4843 Forest stewardship plan-req for lands acquired for recreation & conserv purposes - passed

A4844 Forest stewardship plans-provide that municipal approval is not required - passed

A4845 Prescribed burns-set min. acreage goal & schedule in pinelands area & Statewide - passed

A4846 Forest stewardship, pinelands area-concerns cooperation between govt & landowner - passed

Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee(1/25/2021)

A1057 Municipal emergency management coordinators, non-resident-permits appointment - passed

A2692 Volunteer firefighters, certain-municipality establish restricted parking spaces - passed

A4833 Bias & harassment-expands crime; establish additional penalties - passed w/ amendments

S551 Municipal emergency management coordinators, non-resident-permits appointment - passed

Assembly State and Local Government Committee (1/25/2021)

A4274 State Chief Diversity Officer-expand powers & duties; St Investment Council memb - passed

A4881 Land use decision-prohibit appeal related to holding meeting electronically - passed

A5064 Buy American Act-highway & bridge construction contract made w/US steel products - passed

S853 Buy American Act-highway & bridge construction contract made w/US steel products - passed

Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (1/25/2021)

A3006 Audio or visual media intentionally deceptive-requires disclosure - passed

A3625 Biometric information-imposes moratorium on collection by public entities - substituted for A4211 - passed

A4985 Media content, deceptive-prohibits of pub off candidate w/in 60 days of election - passed w/ amendments

Assembly Human Services Committee (1/25/2021)

A5123 Group homes-implement policy to prevent social isolation, condition of licensure - passed w/ amendments

A5247 Devel. disab individuals-concerns info prov to guardian, involving abuse/neglect - passed

A5248 Family Services & Communications Advisory Committee-establish in DHS - passed

Assembly Agriculture Committee (1/27/2021)

A1564 Equine animal activities law-clarifies responsibility and liability issues - passed

A3231 Trunk fighting-establish as animal cruelty offense and third degree crime - passed

A3897 Waterfowl Stamps-increases fee - passed

Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources (1/27/2021)

A3142 Water supply and wastewater treatment systems-revises licensure req. to operate - passed w/ amendments

A5017 Water purveyors-require DEP make certain information available on its website - passed

A5018 Environmental infra. proj-req Infra Bank prov incentives, employ local residents - passed w/ amendments

A5042 Native plants-directs DEP study water absorbency - passed w/ amendments

A5043 Municipal water authority dissolution-Local Finance Bd. make cert findings prior - For Discussion Only

A5194 Nonpoint source pollution control grants-establishes ranking criteria - passed

S922 Municipal water authority dissolution-Local Finance Bd. make cert findings prior - For Discussion Only

Assembly Environment and Solid Waste (1/27/2021)

A2208 Electric or renewable power source veh-counties and municipalities purch w/bonds - passed w/ amendments

A3874 Methylene chloride paint removal-proh sale unless cert safety standards are met - passed w/ amendments

A5121 Manuf fac-concerns provision of energy by prov exemptions to cert energy taxes- passed

AJR203 Renewable Energy Day-designates May 23 of each year - passed

S894 Methylene chloride paint removal-proh sale unless cert safety standards are met - passed

Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (1/27/2021)

A2264 Children endangerment-communication service preserve information - passed

A3687 Firearm, seized-notify domestic violence victim when weapon is returned - passed

A4663 Restorative & Transformative Justice for Youths & Communities Pilot Prog;$8.4M - For Discussion Only

AJR195 Reentry week-designates last week of April - passed

Senate Voting Session (1/28/2021)

A850 Community Broadband Study Commission-establishes - substituted for S2864 - passed

A1229 Homeless prevention programs-DCA make information available on its website

A2244 Veterans cremains-revise provisions concerning claiming and proper disposal

A3199 Organ donors, living-prohibits discrimination against - substituted by S2315 - passed

A4004 Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Task Force on Racial & Health Disparities

A4671Utilities, pub & local-prov notice, available relief measures during coronavirus - substituted for S3326 - passed

A4941 Surplus property in Town of Secaucus, Hudson County-auth. St. Treasurer to sell - substituted for S3122 - passed

A4943 Real property, surplus in Borough of Franklin-authorizes State Treasurer to sell - substituted for S3092 - passed

A5116 Real property, Mahwah Township-authorizes State Treasurer to sell - substituted for S3196 - passed

S111 Auto insurance underwriting-proh. use of education, occupation and credit score - passed

S241 Drug court-makes certain changes - passed

S347 One Health Task Force-estab. communications between physicians and veterinarians - passed

S550 Student ID cards-required to contain phone number for suicide prevention hotline - passed

S854 Laura Wooten's Law-requires civics instruction in middle school - passed

S887 Prescription drug services, Medicaid-transition managed care to fee-for-service - passed

S975 Trunk fighting-establish as animal cruelty offense and third degree crime - passed

S1018 Sch discipline practice incl racial disparities/effectiveness task force-examine - passed w/ amendments

S1020 School discipline data-report on their websites and to Commissioner of Education - passed w/ amendments

S1148 Social svcs. hotline-emerg contact info & access instructions be prov to tenants - passed

S1259 Labor contractors-concerns - passed

S1367 Auth, bd, comm, council-deactivate if entity has not met at least once every yr - passed

S1559 Insurance Fair Conduct Act-unreasonable prices for business insurance - passed

S1634 Fireman certificates & membership-raises maximum eligibility age - passed

S1654 E-ZPass-opt to receive electronic notification of use at NJTA/SJTA toll plazas - passed

S1740 Motor vehicle registration-req. MVC place notation indicating registrant is deaf - passed

S1770 Veterans cremains-revise provisions concerning claiming and proper disposal - passed

S1851 State student assistance or other employment/training-concerns eligibility - passed

S2161 Homeless prevention programs-DCA make information available on its website - held

S2323 Opioids-requires antidote prescriptions for certain patients - passed

S2358 Private education lenders-requires registration; estab protections for borrowers - passed

S2410 Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Task Force on Racial & Health Disparities - floor amendment adopted

S2503 Strangulation assault-increases to crime of second degree - passed

S2728 State Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors-adds 2 members - passed

S2769 Minority Business Development Program-establishes in EDA;$50M - passed

S2820 Vote by mail application-allows online reg. up to seven day before election - passed

S2831 Teachers-grants reciprocity with certain out-of-state certificates - passed

S2832 Teachers, substitute-allow student in higher ed instit., 30 semester hr to serve - passed

S2853 Dentist/dental insurance-prohibits certain provisions in agreements - passed

S2961 Foreclosure mediation program requirements-enhances homeowner notification - substituted by A1063

S2968 Veteran for civil service hiring preference-changes definition - passed

S2973 Office of deputy superintendent of election-creates in counties of fifth class - passed

S3012 MVC documents issued-provides temporary extension - passed

S3093 Pandemic-establish county-based mitigation plan, allow businesses operate during - passed

S3189 Emergency medical svcs-req issuance of temp certifications, cert circumstances - passed

S3234 Paycheck protection prog. loan-allow deduction of certain expenses when forgiven - passed

S3305 Gross income tax credit, nonresid. building improvement-allows - passed

S3335 Utility service, local & public-conduct study of coronavirus effect on service - passed

SJR93 Frederick Douglass Day-designates February 14 of each year - passed

SJR95 Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties & the Constitution-designates January 30 - passed

Administration and Department Information

The New Jersey Governor's Office

The Governor's Office has been updating their website with the latest information on the COVID-19 response.

Press Releases

Executive Orders

Governor Addresses NJTV

The New Jersey Legislature

The New Jersey Legislature has passed legislation allowing them to virtually conduct committee meetings and voting sessions online. If you would like to view live Hearings and Voting Sessions, you may do so here.