Dozens Of New NJ Laws Signed, Including Car Registration Changes

NEW JERSEY — Soon, you'll no longer need to fumble for that vehicle registration if you get pulled over. A new state law allows drivers in New Jersey to display their vehicle registration on an electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bipartisan legislation into law Monday, along with dozens of other bills (see more below).

“During the stress of a traffic stop, drivers often struggle to locate their paper registration card in a cluttered glove box,” said State Senator Anthony Bucco, one of the bill's sponsors. “Knowing they will be able to use their phone to prove their car is properly registered may provide a bit of relief. This will also save drivers from the hassle and costs of responding to unnecessary tickets for failing to provide proof of registration.”

The law won't immediately go into effect. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has 18 months to develop and offer electronic registrations with provisions to deter counterfeit documents.

New Jersey passed a similar measure in 2015, allowing drivers to display electronic proof of insurance. But drivers within the state still had to show paper proof of vehicle registration.

The new law allows drivers to photograph their state-issued vehicle registrations and show a stored copy when required. Only two other states — Michigan and Tennessee — according to Assembly Member BettyLou DeCroce, another co-sponsor.

“With the ubiquity of smart phones, as well as other mobile devices, it’s practical to let drivers retrieve an electronic copy to show law enforcement or any other authority that may need to see it,” DeCroce said.

The law could help some drivers avoid the punishment for failing to show vehicle registration, which can carry a $180 fine for guilty parties.

Here are some other bills Murphy signed into law:

• New Jersey will prohibit the sale of cosmetic products that were tested on animals. The state previously outlawed animal testing for products when a validated and alterate method exists. But this law prohibits the sale of such products, even if animals were tested out of state. The law takes effect March 1, and violators could face fines up to $1,000 per sale.
• Another law will require real estate brokers and salespeople to develop property-condition disclosure statements to indicate the presence of lead plumbing in residential properties. The law takes effect immediately.
• Mobile barbershops and hair salons can become reality. A new law allows Board of Cosmetology Hairstyling licensees to provide services in specially equipped trucks or trailers.
• A new law requires the New Jersey Department of Health to develop a statewide plan for infection control and prevention-infrastructure improvements in nursing homes. The process would include assessing nursing homes for data such as the number of single-resident rooms in each home and a survey of heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
• New Jersey will establish a task force to evaluate quality, efficacy, costs, and educational outcomes for online courses offered at higher-education and degree-granting proprietary institutions during the pandemic.