Singleton Introduces COVID-19 Legislation to Assist NJ Residents

Trenton – Senator Troy Singleton introduced several proposals today related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiatives address the economic pressures facing homeowners and tenants, the impacts the public health emergency has had on the business community and workers, and the need to provide a continuity of essential services.

“It is no secret that we are in the midst of a public health crisis as well as an economic crisis. We must do everything we can to protect families, businesses and workers that have been feeling the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington).

“Specifically, after working diligently to enact sweeping foreclosure reforms last year, we do not want to see people lose their homes, or renters be evicted, due to an inability to pay.  We must ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to prevent people from becoming homeless.”

Senator Singleton introduced the following legislation today:

• The first piece of legislation, S-2340, would authorize the Governor to permit mortgage forbearances and rent payment responsibility reductions for residential property owners and tenants who have sustained a substantial loss of income during a state of emergency or public health emergency.

• The second piece of legislation would exclude calculation payments made for unemployment compensation benefits related to layoffs resulting from a declared public health emergency or state of emergency.

• The third piece of legislation would waive the required physical presence of employee during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This would allow for employees to work from home, preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

• The last piece of legislation would make a FY 2020 supplemental Grants-in-Aid appropriation of $10 million to DCA for NJSHARES – S.M.A.R.T.  Program. NJSHARES is a state program that provides energy assistance to moderate and fixed-income households experiencing a financial crisis.

In addition, Senator Singleton is also being added as a co-prime sponsor on the following bills:

• S2346 Extends certain permits during COVID-19 emergency.

• A3903/S2336 Allows remote notarial acts during Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020.