Trenton – A series of bills sponsored by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz are on the Governor’s desk following approval by the State Senate and General Assembly.

“The thread that has always tied my legislative efforts together is protecting and enhancing the welfare of New Jersey families and communities. These bills do exactly that,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex/Hudson). “Developed through extensive stakeholder input and collaboration over months and years, these robust reforms and interventions aim to significantly improve the lives of our children and our most vulnerable and underserved populations. From ensuring safe water systems and regulating intoxicating hemp products to addressing student literacy and educational equity, protecting workers’ rights, enhancing public transportation, and promoting urban redevelopment, these legislative measures are designed to bring tangible benefits toward increased transparency, accountability, and equality to our state.”

S-2188, sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Linda Greenstein, sets disinfectant levels for public water systems and designates procedures for routine testing in high-risk areas to prevent the transmission of Legionnaire’s disease. For nearly a decade, Senator Ruiz worked on legislation to combat the spread of Legionnaire’s disease in water systems, consulting with water purveyors, public health officials, building owners, and regulators throughout the process. Recent clusters of Legionnaire’s disease in areas around the state renewed the urgency for legislative action.

S-3235, sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Paul Moriarty, requires the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to establish regulations for the production and sale of intoxicating hemp products like Delta-8 THC. The bill also bans the sale of synthetic THC. Due to a loophole in federal and state law, intoxicating hemp products are currently unregulated and can be sold legally to minors despite having similar psychoactive effects as cannabis. These products are often sold in corner stores and gas stations and are marketed as “weed light.” Under the bill, the sale of intoxicating hemp products to anyone under 21 years old would be prohibited, effective immediately.

S-2644, sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Vin Gopal, addresses the shortfall in student reading performance across the state by establishing a Working Group on Student Literacy in the Department of Education (DOE). The Working Group would consult with DOE to implement evidence-based learning strategies and reading screenings for students. The bill also requires the establishment of a professional development program in literacy education for teachers. All school districts would be required to conduct at least two literacy screenings per year for students in grades K-3.

S-2647, sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Shirley Turner, establishes the Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery (LEAR) in the Department of Education. The office would be responsible for bolstering DOE’s ability to make data-driven decisions, coordinate resources, and research best practices for literacy, learning equity, and learning acceleration. LEAR would also work to address past injustices and inequities in education.

S-2869, sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Angela McKnight, establishes penalties for employers who weaponize an employee’s immigration status against them to conceal state wage, benefit, or tax law violations. For example, an employer who does not pay appropriate wages would be subject to penalties under the wage payment law. If the employer who fails to pay appropriate wages also threatens an employee based on the employee’s immigration status to pressure the employee from reporting the violation, the employer would be subject to additional penalties under the bill.

S-2344, sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, allows the NJ Economic Development Authority to provide additional funding to licensed childcare providers through facility improvement grants.

S-2607, sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator McKnight, requires private bus operators to provide advance notice to NJ Transit and the public and to hold public meetings for certain service changes to fixed route bus services. In New Jersey, privately owned bus operators lease buses from NJ Transit and provide bus services along certain routes. In recent months, some privately-owned bus companies abruptly announced that they would discontinue service, forcing riders to find alternative ways to travel. By mandating private bus operators give advanced notice before discontinuing operations, riders will be afforded the foresight to arrange for other transportation.

S-3479, sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Turner, modifies certain provisions of the Historic Property Reinvestment and Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Programs by increasing the maximum tax credits awarded to reflect changing market conditions such as inflation and higher interest rates. Additionally, the bill would improve compliance and consistency with federal programs to encourage more investment in historic property and brownfields redevelopment.