6 NJ Bills Signed Into Law: Here's What They'll Do

Gov. Phil Murphy may be away on vacation, but his administration was busy this past week, signing bills that deal with climate change, among other things. The new laws also could be important when you're looking for a new job or when you're looking for a good deal on college tuition.

The Murphy administration also signed a bill to help promote events in New Jersey that could boost the state's tourism industry. Another bill will help the state establish new timeframes and requirements for the implementation of the Global Warming Response Act.

The bill is supposed to give Department of Environmental Protection the tools necessary to ensure the state meets greenhouse-gas emission reduction goals by 2050. "Short-lived climate pollutants have a significant warming influence on the climate and must be evaluated as part of the state’s comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change in our State," Murphy said in a statement.

"Furthermore, I am directing the Department of Environmental Protection to use its existing legal authority, in addition to the authority provided by this bill, to administratively address the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon, which will provide short-term air quality benefits while also reducing climate warming pollutants," Murphy said in a statement.

Here is the entire list of bills and what they'll do:

Keeping employment information private

Acting Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver signed a bill that will prevent employers from asking about workers’ wage and salary history.

A1094 makes it an unlawful employment practice in New Jersey for any employer to screen a job applicant based on their salary history, including prior wages, salary, commission, benefits or any other current or previous compensation.

The law is designed to ensure that employees in the state receive salaries that are commensurate with their skills, qualifications and experience, according to the Murphy administration.

Studies have shown that women who hold full-time, year-round jobs in New Jersey are paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to men holding full-time, year-round jobs, and that this gender wage gap is demonstrated across all industries and education level of workers, officials said.

“Since day one, the Murphy administration has been committed to closing the gender wage gap. Gov. Murphy’s first executive order promoted equal pay across state government and prohibited prospective employees from being asked their salary histories,” said Oliver. “I am proud to sign this bill today for our women, children and families, which will institute this policy as state law, and put an end to this discriminatory workplace practice once and for all.”

Promoting transparency for students and improving college affordability

Oliver signed two bills into law this week, officials say, to provide clear and comprehensible financial information to students and protect student borrowers.

The first law (S2046) requires institutions of higher education to improve transparency of tuition and fees by providing a financial aid “shopping sheet” to prospective students. This college financing worksheet, or “shopping sheet,” will provide clear information on costs, loan options and estimated debt levels so students and their families can better understand the net price of attending college, officials said.

The other bill (S1149) creates strong new protections for student loan borrowers by regulating the companies that service student loans, officials said.

This new law will require student loan servicing companies to be licensed by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI), and will crack down on deceptive practices by servicers that provide flawed information to student borrowers, officials said.

“The laws I signed continue our administration’s ongoing commitment to making college more affordable and accessible,” said Oliver. “We have seen the negative impact that predatory lenders and misinformation can have on our students and these vital new consumer protection laws will help to protect and support them as they pursue postsecondary education.

"Students will be able to better understand the true cost of college, so they can make wise choices and determine the appropriate amount to borrow, and with strong standards and a new state watchdog, we will ensure they are treated fairly by the companies that service their loans," she added.

Here are the other bills signed into law:

• A4918 (Murphy/Beach, Oroho) - Requires Secretary of State to designate one-stop event planning contact person for certain events held in NJ. Copy of Statement on A4918
• S876 (Sweeney, Oroho, Singleton/DeAngelo, Bucco, Wirths) - Revises process for development and administration of Transportation Trust Fund projects and capital program oversight; establishes transportation research center.
• S3207 (Smith, Greenstein, Bateman, Codey/Vainieri Huttle, Pinkin, Kennedy) - Establishes new timeframes for implementation of, and revises, certain requirements in "Global Warming Response Act." Copy of Statement on S3207