Legislative Update

Legislative Update—WEB EXTRA

Substance Abuse Treatment The Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 10 released legislation that would require coverage of substance abuse treatment.

The bill, A-2512/S-807, would requires all health insurers, including the State Health Benefits Program, to cover treatment for alcoholism and other substance-abuse disorders the same as other illnesses.

There is disagreement about the costs of providing this expanded benefit.

Although the intent of the legislation is well founded, NJSBA testified against the bill due to concerns about increased costs for health insurance.

Status: Advances to the Assembly for full consideration.

Senate Ed Panel Acts On May 10, the Senate Education Committee acted favorably on the following bills:

Bus Driver Training S-419 requires school bus drivers to secure a school bus driver endorsement on their commercial driver licenses, along with specialized training and testing of their driving abilities. It also establishes a new classification and registration category for vehicles that transport one to nine passengers to school.

The committee amended the bill to indicate that it would not apply to parent volunteers, who use their private vehicles to chaperone students.

NJSBA supports this legislation.

Status: Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Personal Finance Literacy S-2101/A3042 would establish a six-district pilot program to instruct students in personal finance. The commissioner of education would select the participating districts, and the state education department would provide grants and curricular materials. Prior to release, the committee amended S-2101, so that the pilot program would infuse “personal finance literacy” into the curriculum, rather than establish a separate course.
NJSBA supports the bill.

Status: Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Bus Owner ID S-1078 would require each school bus to display the owner's business telephone number for members of the public to use in reporting violations, problems or unusual circumstances. School bus owners who violate the bill would receive a warning for their first offense. A $100 fine would apply to each subsequent offense.
NJSBA supports this bill based on policies concerning student health and safety.
Status: Advances to the full Senate.