TRENTON – New bills introduced this week include more efforts to stem distracted driving, investigating telemarketing fraud, family planning funding, and charter school oversight.
A4146: This bill prohibits the use of a so-called wearable computer with a head mounted display that projects data into the driver’s field of vision.
Violations would be a $100 fine, but there wouldn’t be any motor vehicle points assessed.
The bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell, (D-31), Bayonne.
A4158: This bill establishes a telemarketing fraud investigation unit within the Division of Consumer Affairs to investigate those types of consumer complaints.
The unit would investigate consumer complaints of unsolicited telemarketing sales calls from unregistered telemarketers; telemarketing calls made in violation of the division’s no call list; telemarketing calls in which the telemarketer calling does not promptly identify the person on behalf of whom the call is made or the purpose of the call; and other related complaints.
The bill is sponsored by First District Assembly members Bob Andrzejczak and Nelson Albano. A Senate version, whose sponsors include First District Sen. Jeff Van Drew, was introduced in May 2012, but has not been heard in committee yet.
A4172: This bill would provide $7.45 million from the general fund this fiscal year for family planning services, which had been eliminated from budgets in fiscal years 2011-2013.
This had led to closings of health care facilities that offer those services, the bill states, and it specifies no money from this supplemental appropriation could be used for abortions.
Sponsors include Assemblywomen Gabriela Mosquera, (D-4), Turnersville, and Pamela Lampitt, (D-6), Voorhees. There is a similar Senate bill.
A4177: This would establish a charter school review board in the Education Department. It would make recommendations on charter school grants and be responsible for ongoing review of such schools.
It would have nine members, three each appointed by the governor, Assembly speaker, and Senate president.
Sponsors include Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, (D-18), South Plainfield.
