Current Legislation - Nov. 8, 2010
Higher Ed Tax Credit: A-1644 (Greenwald) passed the Higher Education Committee today 5-0-4 and has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. This bill encourages greater opportunities for New Jersey residents to attend New Jersey institutions of higher education by establishing a gross income tax credit for full time attendance. The tax credit is equal to 10% of tuition costs of up to $10,000 paid by a taxpayer either for a resident dependent under 22 years of age or for the taxpayer's own full time attendance in New Jersey. Taxpayers with gross incomes of up to $150,000 are eligible for the tax credit. NJEA supported this bill.
Out-of-Network Proposals: A-1997 (Conaway, Quigley) requires certain types of managed-care plans to provide coverage for patients who use in-network providers for covered services from a specialist without obtaining a written referral from the enrollee’s primary care provider. NJEA supported this bill, which was reported out of the Health and Human Services Committee and is now on second reading in the Assembly.
Health Insurance Payments and Disclosures: A-3378 (Schaer, Spencer) clarifies out-of-network payment responsibilities under health benefits plans and requires certain coverage and procedure disclosures to consumers. NJEA is monitoring this legislation which was held by the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.
Health Care Reform Implementation Council: S-2239 (Weinberg) establishes a NJ Health Care Reform Implementation Council. The Council will plan and coordinate the implementation of health care reform in New Jersey. NJEA is monitoring this legislation which was reported out of committee with amendments and is now on second reading in the Senate.
Asperger's Sydrome Awareness Week: AJR-11 / SJR-38 (Voss, Polistina / Weinberg, Madden) were released by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. The joint resolutions designate the second full week in April of each year as “Asperger’s Syndrome Awareness Week” in New Jersey. The goal is to foster an awareness and understanding of Asperger’s Syndrome by directing the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs. The Assembly passed AJR-11 on March 22, 2010. The identical resolutions now go to second reading, where the Senate President may or may not post them for a vote on the Senate Floor. NJEA supported the resolutions.