4 New NJ Laws Start Feb. 1: Here's What They Do

NEW JERSEY - Four new laws went into effect on Saturday that may have a big impact on your life.

The new laws take significant steps to battle the opioid crisis, requiring a warning label or sticker on containers for prescription opioid medications dispensed in New Jersey. The laws went into effect on Saturday, Feb. 1 (see below).

The new laws also strengthen gun-control measures, establishing performance standards for personalized handguns, also known “smart guns” and “child-proof guns,” and promoting suicide prevention and mental health counseling.

Here's what's new:

Firearms and suicide prevention

Two new laws target gun safety, with one making suicide prevention training courses and informational materials available to firearm retail dealers in New Jersey.

The law was part of a package of bills signed by Gov. Phil Murphy that promote common-sense gun safety, reaffirming what he considers "New Jersey’s commitment to institute the strongest gun laws in the nation."

The bill, part of what was called "Gun Safety Package 2.0," are part of a series of comprehensive gun safety laws signed by Murphy in 2018 in 2019.

“The scourge of gun violence is a pervasive problem that affects our entire nation,” said Murphy. “I am proud to work with our legislators to implement some of the toughest gun laws in the country to protect our residents and make our communities safer for all.

"We see the results of our work by having among the lowest rates of gun-related deaths nationwide. With every step, New Jersey is proving that commonsense gun safety laws work.”

Placing warning labels on opioids

The new bill is part of a package of legislation addressing the opioid crisis.

A3292 will strengthen opioid prescription label requirements, ensure greater access to Medicated-Assisted Treatment (MAT) benefits for Medicaid recipients and spread awareness of opioid abuse through the designation of Oct. 6th as “Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day,” lawmakers say.

Under A3292, containers for prescription opioid medications dispensed in New Jersey will be required to have a warning label or sticker describing the risk of opioid medications.

The director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, working with the Department of Health, will specify by rule or regulation where the warning sticker or label is to be affixed and the specific language to be included on the warning sticker, lawmakers say.

“The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on our communities, robbing us of too many of our friends, family members, and loved ones,” saidMurphy. “This legislation continues our work to combat the opioid crisis by ensuring that there are warning labels outlining the risk of opioid medications, expanding access to the treatment that so many need, and raising awareness of just how easy it is to become addicted to opioids.”

Primary sponsors of the bill include Assemblymembers John Armato, Vincent Mazzeo, and Valerie Vainieri Huttle; and Senators Kristin Corrado and Joseph Lagana.

Smart gun usage

Establishing performance standards for personalized handguns, also known “smart guns” and “child-proof guns,” took effect on Saturday.

A personalized handgun is a firearm incorporating technology that automatically limits its operational use and cannot be readily deactivated. It may only be fired by an authorized or recognized user, lawmakers said.

The new law (A-1016) creates the "Personalized Handgun Authorization Commission" to be responsible for approving and maintaining a roster of personalized handguns authorized for sale to the public, lawmakers say.

It will also require all licensed retail firearm dealers, with limited exception, to offer for sale at least one personalized handgun.

The Personalized Handgun Authorization Commission will consist of seven members, including the state attorney general, superintendent of State Police, the commissioner of health or their respective designees, all serving ex-officio. The remaining four members would be appointed by the governor.

“We’ve seen far too many senseless deaths because of handguns accidentally getting in the hands of children. The technology exists to curb this possibility,” said Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen

Increasing support for victims

The law, A4805, was among six legislative measures spearheaded by Assemblyman Lou Greenwald, D-Camden, Burlington, that will work to stem gun violence by engaging patients in the hospital following a firearm incident, lawmakers said.

The law places much needed attention on mental health and the counseling needs of gun violence victims, lawmakers say.

Nationally, homicide remains one of the leading causes of death among youth and young adults ages 15 to 34, lawmakers said. Recurrent violence-related trauma accounts for up to 45 percent of all hospital trauma admissions.

In some urban hospitals, up to 45 percent of patients treated for violent injuries like gunshot wounds are re-injured within a five year period following discharge, lawmakers said.

“Many hospitals see a “revolving door” of gunshot injuries, as patients who have been shot are at a very high risk of being violently reinjured and committing violent acts themselves,” said Greenwald. “Making counseling a critical part of the services a patient receives may be just the prescription needed to save lives and discourage recidivism and the use of retaliatory violence.”