News Flash

Posted on: September 26, 2023

Police Training Commission Adopts Licensing Rules

Last summer, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2022, c. 65, which establishes a police licensing program for all New Jersey law enforcement officers. This new law tasked the Police Training Commission (PTC) with adopting rules related to the licensing of police...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: September 22, 2023

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Sample Resolution

October 6 is Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day. Please consider adopting a resolution similar to the League’s Sample Resolution.  

In 2019, Governor Murphy signed SJR-35 (P.L.2019,JR-16) recognizing October 6 as Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day. Plea...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: September 15, 2023

Register for Mental Health First Aid Classes

The Mayor Wellness Campaign is hosting two virtual training courses for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), one for Adult Mental Health First Aid Training and the other Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. 

As part of its Mental Health Initiative, ...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: September 15, 2023

September Marks National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) working with local officials and the public to underscore essential tools and provide adv...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: September 8, 2023

FEMA Local Elected and Appointed Officials Guidebook Blog Post

Published last year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “Local Elected and Appointed Officials Guide: Roles and Resources in Emergency Management” is an important resource for municipal officials. For more information, plea...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: August 31, 2023

Municipal Fire Department Chaplain Benefits Legislation Signed

On Monday, Acting Governor Nicholas Scutari signed A-5275/S-3671 that allows a municipality to determine if newly appointed individuals serving as municipal fire department chaplains will hold rank and receive salary and benefits.

Under current law...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: August 29, 2023

Reminder: Opioid Settlement Annual Reports Due September 1

Eligible subdivisions participating in the national opioid settlements are required to submit an annual report to the state Department of Human Services (DHS) by September 1.

As part of the nationwide opioid settlements, eligible New Jersey subdivisions ar...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: August 25, 2023

State to Host Opioid Summit

The State of New Jersey and the Department of Human Services is hosting a virtual Opioid Summit 2023, Revitalizing Communities: Healing Together From the Opioid Crisis on September 20 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is expected to include a panel on how mu...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: August 24, 2023

NJBPU Proposes Rule Amendments Applicable to Municipalities

On August 21, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) published proposed rule amendments governing all utilities, including municipal water and wastewater utilities. These changes include:  

  1. The extension of the Winter Termination Program to ...
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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: August 11, 2023

State Launches Stop Overdoses Website

The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the launch of StopOverdoses.nj.gov to assist residents in finding pharmacies offering free naloxone anonymously.  Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an ...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: August 10, 2023

NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid Restarts Eligibility Review

Since March of 2020, NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid has followed special rules related to the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). These rules have allowed most NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid members to keep their health coverage, even if they no longer qualif...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: July 28, 2023

State Issues Notice on Local Regulation of Beekeeping Activities

The League has become aware of a statement issued by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) to municipal officials regarding restraints on municipal regulation of apiary and beekeeping activities.  

The statement, dated July 14, 2023, exp...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: July 28, 2023

State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee Meets

The State Health Benefits Program Design Committee (PDC) met on July 26, 2023. They focused on the issue of rising service costs, identified as the main factor for the uptick in state health benefits expenses. 

The committee passed nine resolution...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: July 21, 2023

State Enables Expansion of Harm Reduction Centers

This week, the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) published regulatory changes in the New Jersey Register to facilitate the development of harm reduction centers (HRC) throughout the state. Harm reduction centers are an important tool...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: July 18, 2023

Governor Signs Advanced Clean Cars Proposal

Governor Phil Murphy announced New Jersey has signed the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) proposal. The goal of the ACCII is to have zero-emission vehicles make up 100% of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2035. While the proposal does not impose obligations ...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: July 7, 2023

$200 Million Allocation for State Health Benefits Cut from FY2024 Budget

Governor Murphy's plan to dedicate $200 million from federal pandemic relief funds to offset the over 20% rising health insurance premium rise did not secure a place in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. This plan was initially laid out in Governor Murphy's FY ...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: July 7, 2023

MWC & NJLM Launches Mental Health Grant Opportunity

The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute's Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC), in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities has announced a funding opportunity for communities working to address local mental health needs. The...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: July 7, 2023

New Law Requires Sellers and Landlords Provide Notice of Flooding

Governor Phil Murphy has signed S-3110/A-4783, now P.L.2023, c.93, which requires sellers of property and landlords to make certain notifications regarding flooding. Under the law, sellers of real property and landlords must disclose knowledge of...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: June 23, 2023

Bill Preempting Local Control of ROW Advancing in Congress

A bill was recently passed out of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, that would impose new restrictions on local authorities to regulate local land use and zoning issues related to the deployment of telecommunications equipment.

The Ame...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: June 15, 2023

Governor Signs EO 332 Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines

On Monday, due to recent changes to federal requirements regarding COVID-19 vaccines, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 332 lifting the requirement for employees in health care settings who were not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations ...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: May 5, 2023

DCA Issues LFN Explaining LIHWAP and Winter Termination Program

Signed last month, P.L. 2023, c.33, requires any municipal water and wastewater utility or authority to enter into a vendor contract with the DCA to participate in the LIHWAP. LIHWAP is a federal program being administered by the DCA that provide...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: May 5, 2023

100% Participation by Municipalities in Latest Opioid Settlement

The nationwide settlement with pharmacy chains CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, and drug makers Teva Pharmaceuticals and Allergan, is in addition to the settlements reached with drug distributors in 2021 –&nbs...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: April 21, 2023

U.S. Senate Passed a Clean Version of S.870, the Fire Grants & Safety

After attempting to attach an amendment that would claw back unobligated American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the U.S. Senate passed a , the Fire Grants and Safety Act, without any amendments on Thursday. There is not yet a House co...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: February 17, 2023

NJ Attorney General Updates Law Enforcement Drug Testing Policy

This week, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued a revised Law Enforcement Drug Testing Policy. The revised Policy includes necessary updates to account for legalized cannabis consumption and sales. Of relevance is the inclusion of a reaso...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: January 9, 2023

FY2023 Federal Omnibus Budget Passed

In the final week of December, the House and Senate passed, and President Biden signed a $1.7 trillion FY2023 federal budget through September 30, 2023. For provisions of state and local interest, please read the League’s two blog posts, the fir...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: December 30, 2022

SHBP Update: No Relief In New Year

Earlier today the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (JBOC) met to consider items including the transfer of Federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds. The transfers, which were already outlined in the State budget, included:

  • $300 million for various ca...
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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: October 31, 2022

DLGS Announces Municipal Budget Appropriations for Fire Districts

On October 19 the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) released Local Finance Notice 2022-19 (LFN). The notice reports that municipalities may appropriate funds for use by their volunteer fire companies or boards of fire commissioners in ...

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Emergency Management & Public Health
Posted on: February 8, 2021

Week of February 1: Covid-19 Update

This week Governor Phil Murphy issued an Executive Order expanding indoor dining and limiting the 10 p.m. curfew on closings of restaurants. The Governor announced that Johnson and Johnson has submitted an application for emergency use authorization from ...

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Emergency Management & Public Health