Cardinale Pushes for Change to Abortion Law, Collection of DNA Samples and More

Having already taken a first look at some of Sen. Cardinale's , we now go back to the Senator's bills that are waiting for review in committee or a full vote.

Following a second reading in commitee, S478 is the only bill in this week's group that is closest to heading toward a full Senate vote. The bill would require landscape irrigation contractors to install backflow prevention devices under certain circumstances by amending N.J.S.A.45:5AA-3.

Currently, if a landscape irrigation system is connected to a potable water supply, the landscape irrigation contractor’s connection is to begin at the downstream side of a properly installed backflow prevention device. This bill stipulates that no connection to a potable water supply may be made by a licensed landscape irrigation contractor unless the contractor has completed a course in the training and certification of backflow prevention device inspectors offered by he New England Water Works Association.

The "Full Disclosure Ultrasound Act" or S353 has been referred to the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee for continued discussion about requiring physicians to provide patients the opportunity to undergo an obstetrical ultrasound or sonogram within 48 hours of performing an abortion.

This bill also states that any health irregularity that may endanger the health or safety of the patient discovered by the ultrasound or sonogram must be communicated to the patient at least 24 hours prior to the procedure.

Physician's that fail to offer an ultrasound to a patient seeking an abortion or failing to review the image prior to performing the procedure could face a fine between $10,000 to $100,000 for the first offense and for a second offense a $25,000 to $250,000 fine.

Defendants who appeal a judgement ordering the payment of a monetary amount to a plaintiff may get a break if the Judiciary Committe takes up S480, which would limit the amount of appeal bond in civil actions to the total value of the monetary judgment or $50 million, whichever is less.

Currently, defendants can appeal the judgement and receive a temporary stay on payment so long as they post an appeal bond. This bill would limit the total amount of the appeal bond or other forms of security required of all appellants collectively in a civil action to the lesser of: (1) the total value of the monetary judgment, or (2) $50,000,000, in addition to trial costs. The bill also provides that it shall not be construed to eliminate the discretion of the court, after notice and hearing and for good cause shown, to reduce the appeal bond to a lower amount.

Veterans who return home and with to take part in a copetitive civil service exam could be exempt from the $15 fee following a discussion by the Budget and Appropriations Committee on S545.

This bill amends various provisions of Title 11A, civil service, regarding veterans’ preference in employment with the State or political subdivisions that have adopted the provisions of that Title. Specifically, this bill exempts disabled veterans, or veterans as determined by the Adjutant General of the State’s Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, from the $15 fee required to be paid for open and competitive examinations.

S1443 would prohibit insurers offering managed care plans from denying participation in network to health care providers willing to meet terms of contract following review by the Commerce Committee.

This bill prohibits a carrier that offers a managed care plan and an affiliated entity of a carrier that offers a managed care plan from denying a health care provider the right to enter into a contract to participate in the carrier’s or entity’s network of health care providers if that health care provider is willing to meet the terms and conditions of the provider contract offered by that carrier or entity to its participating health care providers.

The Law and Public Safety Committee are waiting to take up S1445, simliar to a bill in New Mexico, to provide for collection of DNA samples to assist in the prosecution of sexual assault.

Under current law, a collection of DNA samples is maintained by the Division of State Police containing samples collected from persons convicted of certain crimes or adjudged delinquent for offenses, which if committed by an adult would be crimes. The bill would expand the collection of DNA samples to include collecting samples pursuant to a medical examination of a sexual assault victim with the consent of the victim.

If a contract is entered into by the State Board of Education with a State district superintendent,S1460 prohbits a housing allowance to be included in the contract. A State district superintendent may be appointed by the State board in a school district, which has been placed under full State intervention.

In the future, Judges of the Supreme Court or Superior Court, Tax Court Judges, Workers' Compensation Judges and Administrative Law Judges will need to be admitted to the practice of law for at least 15 years prior to appointment to the bench, according to S1501.

Right now, Judges for any of the above benches must have 10 years of experience prior to being elevated to a higher court. Even if the Senate Judiciary Committe moves this bill along and the full Senate approved it, it would only take effect following a voters approval of the constitutional amendment. 

S1773 which is before the Transportation Committee would require anyone seeking a driver’s license or exam permit be a resident of the State of New Jersey. Under current law, in order to receive one of these identification cards, a person must only present proof that they are legally present in the United States. This bill would ensure that only New Jersey residents receive one of these identification cards.

S1777 provides that an individual who is otherwise eligible for unemployment benefits based on wages with a corporation shall not be denied the benefits because the individual is an officer of a corporation or has more than a 5% equitable or debt interest in the corporation, even if the benefits are paid during the individual’s term of office or ownership in the corporation. The bill applies to any claim occurring after June 30, 2010.

Next week, Patch will take a look at more additional pending legislation that has been introduced by Assemblyman Robert Schroeder.