7 New NJ Laws That May Change Your Life In 2020 – Toms River, NJ Patch

NEW JERSEY - With a new year comes new laws. New Jersey had what may have been a landmark year in terms of legislating in 2019, whether you liked it or not.

From expanded family leave to legalizing end-of-life decisions, New Jersey has seven new laws that should have a dramatic impact on millions of lives in 2020. Some of the new laws in Gov. Phil Murphy's third year will take dramatic steps away from the more conservative policies of the Christie administration.

These legislative accomplishments came as the Murphy administration also had some failures, particularly its efforts to get the state Legislature to legalize marijuana.

The legislature, with Murphy's support, did agree to put the issue to public vote in November 2020. Read more: NJ Lawmakers Pass Big Marijuana, Vaccine, Driver's License Bills

Here's a look at the seven new laws taking hold in 2020 that could impact your life:

Family leave

Murphy signed a bill into law that will expand family leave for everyone in the state.

Murphy noted that New Jersey enacted a paid family leave program in 2008, but the new law significantly expands that program to provide additional job protections for those who miss work because of caring for a newborn child or a sick loved one.

"No one should ever be forced to choose between caring for a family member and earning a paycheck," said Murphy. "By providing the most expansive paid family leave time and benefits in the nation, we are ensuring that New Jerseyans no longer have to face such a decision and that working families are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve."

The bill, A3975, changes New Jersey's paid family leave program in a number of ways, including the following:

"This comprehensive paid family leave program, coupled with the newly passed earned sick leave and minimum wage increase, are fundamental elements in building a stronger and fairer New Jersey for all working families," Murphy said.

Right-to-die law

The law, which was sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman John Burzichelli and Senator Nick Scutari, made New Jersey the eighth state to allow such end-of-life decisions with the assistance of medical professionals.

Here's what the legislation does:

Medical marijuana

Murphy signed legislation designed to make medical marijuana more accessible to patients who could benefit from it.

The measure, now known as the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, was sponsored by Assembly Democrats, Joann Downey, Joseph Danielsen, Eliana Pintor Marin, Andrew Zwicker, Eric Houghtaling and Carol Murphy.

The bill was named after Jake Honig, a 7-year old Howell resident nicknamed "Jake the Tank" who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive from of brain cancer with a rare genetic mutation at the age of 2. After undergoing dozens of rounds of chemotherapy, proton radiation therapy, and surgery, his tumor went into remission for four years, until follow-up scans determined that the tumor had returned and spread to other parts of his body.

Jake was prescribed six different medications to treat his side effects which included nausea, vomiting, agitation and acid reflux, lawmakers said. Medical marijuana proved to be the most effective way of making Jake more comfortable. It helped to improve his mood, appetite and restore his mental well-being, lawmakers said.

The bill (A-10), expands access to medical marijuana for patients with any diagnosed medical condition, requires issuance of additional dispensary permits, revises certain requirements concerning patients and primary caregivers as well as requirements for physicians to authorize qualifying patients and improves the application, ownership and operational requirements for alternative treatment centers.

The authorization period will also be extended from 90 days to a year, and edible forms of marijuana will become more available. The sales tax of medical marijuana is also being phased out, Murphy said.

Here's what the law will change:

Sex abuse

Murphy signed legislation to help protect sex-abuse victims, targeting those harmed by religious and Boy Scout leaders.

Murphy signed legislation (S477) extending the statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse claims. The signing came just days after a law firm released the names of more than 100 people who allegedly committed sexual abuse while serving in the Catholic church's clergy.Read more: Another 100 NJ Priests, Clergy Accused Of Sex Abuse In New Disclosure

The law also creates a two-year window for parties to bring lawsuits based on sexual abuse that would be time-barred even with the new statute of limitations, and expands the categories of potential defendants in civil actions.

"Survivors of sexual abuse deserve opportunities to seek redress against their abusers," said Murphy. "This legislation allows survivors who have faced tremendous trauma the ability to pursue justice through the court system. I thank the bill's sponsors for their commitment to tackling this issue, as well as the advocates for their activism and engagement."

School instruction on the history of contributions of persons from LGBTQ community

Murphy signed legislation that requires boards of education to include instruction, and adopt instructional materials, that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

"It's critical that our classrooms highlight the achievements of LGBTQ people throughout history. Our youth deserve to see how diverse American history truly is and how they can be a part of it one day, too," Murphy said.

Garden State Equality, a leading New Jersey advocacy group for the LGBTQ community, saluted the legislation, saying: "Just as we honor contributions of people of color, women, and immigrants, LGBTQ people deserve a place in our history books and classrooms."

"America's nearly 250 year history is richly diverse, and our nation grows when we embrace our multifaceted past rather than hide from it," the group said.

Transgender birth certificates

New Jersey residents can now change the gender listed on their birth certificates more efficiently and easily thanks to a new law that took effect on Friday.The legislation sponsored by Sen. Joseph F. Vitale and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg revised procedures for individuals who have changed their gender and name to receive an amended birth certificate.

"With advancements in modern medicine, we know that gender reassignment surgery is no longer the only option for transitioning yet the law takes a one-size-fits-all approach. It does not account for nonsurgical transitioning which usually includes physical, psychological, social, and emotional changes," said Vitale, D-Middlesex.

"This bill removes the barriers that transgender New Jerseyans face when requesting changes to such an important identification document as their birth certificate to reflect who they are, and will help to expand anti-discrimination protections."

Formerly, a person had to undergo gender reassignment surgery in order to amend the gender on their birth certificate. S-478 requires the state registrar of vital statistics to issue an amended birth certificate to a person born in the state who shows the gender and name of the person has been changed.

In order to process this request, the registrar needs a receipt of a name change approved by the court and a form from the person, or person's guardian.

"New Jersey law needs to recognize current practices for gender transitioning, which include nonsurgical therapies, and must afford transgendered individuals the same broad protection of their rights as all citizens to have official identification that reflects their gender," said Weinberg, D-Bergen. "From applying for travel documents or driver's licenses to school registration, a birth certificate is a necessary document and must be consistent with reality."

Hair discrimination

Last week, Murphy signed S3945, also known as the "Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act," which prohibits racial discrimination on the basis of "traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles."

The law was introduced after Andrew Johnson, an African American high school wrestler at Buena Regional High School, was forced to cut off his dreadlocks in order to compete in a match Dec. 19, 2018. Read more: NJ School To Meet After Alleged Racist Ref Made Wrestler Cut Hair

"Race-based discrimination will not be tolerated in the state of New Jersey," Murphy said. "No one should be made to feel uncomfortable or be discriminated against because of their natural hair. I am proud to sign this law in order to help ensure that all New Jersey residents can go to work, school or participate in athletic events with dignity."

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker said discrimination against black hair is "discrimination against black people, and no one should be denied a job, an education or face discrimination because of their hairstyle."

As defined in the bill, the term "protective hairstyles" includes "such hairstyles as braids, locks and twists." This change is intended to remove any confusion or ambiguity over the scope of the anti-discrimination laws.

Read more from the original source:

7 New NJ Laws That May Change Your Life In 2020 - Toms River, NJ Patch