1 State Marijuana: Both Bills Have Been Pulled from the Floor Votes

State

Marijuana: Both bills have been pulled from the floor votes calendar. . On Dec. 30th, Governor Phil Murphy announced he would not sign S21/A21, which legalizes marijuana and establishes rules for selling it, because it does not contain penalties for individuals who are under the age of 21 who possess or use cannabis. . S21 would also direct 70 percent of the state sales tax revenue from marijuana purchases to minority communities disproportionately impacted by the drug war. . The Senate passed a bill (S2535/A1897)) that would decriminalize possession of up to six ounces of cannabis. The bill passed 29-4. However, it was pulled by the General Assembly for language that would downgrade the offense of possessing psilocybin, which is also known as “magic mushrooms”. . Similar to S21/A21, Gov. Murphy stated he wants S2535 to include penalties for possession of marijuana by minors. . Jan. 12th: Gov. Murphy expressed optimism that he and legislators will reach an agreement on penalties for underage marijuana use. He has until at least early February to take action on both marijuana bills. . A5211/S3320: Updates and clarifies recent legislation passed by both Houses of the Legislature addressing cannabis legalization, and marijuana and hashish decriminalization.

. Relief for Nonprofit Employers (A4853) – for those that have had to reduce staff due to the COVID- 19 pandemic. For those non-profit employers that “self-insure” and make direct payments to the state to pay for unemployment claims, federal law currently provides a means for 50 percent of these direct payments to be reimbursed and this legislation will cover the remainder.

. Economic Recovery Act: On Thursday, January 7th, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law this year, $14 billion package of incentive programs that seeks to provide economic support for small businesses, while also promoting economic recovery and growth for the next decade. It also includes new incentives, such as the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, which will provide $50 million for grants, loans, loan guarantees and technical assistance for small and microbusinesses.

. S3323/A5268 – Was introduced on Jan. 11. It would make FY 2021 supplemental appropriation of $180 million to DCF and DHS for increased rates for social service providers in financial distress due to the pandemic.

. A4179/4200 ACS/S2559: Was introduced June 1, 2020; the last action was on June 22nd - Reported as an Assembly Committee Substitute and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee; also referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. This bill revises requirements for health insurance providers and Medicaid to cover services provided using telemedicine and telehealth. It includes NJAMHAA’s recommendation to allow flexibility for clients’ physical locations.

. A bill (S2708) requiring “certain provisions in State contracts for delivery of publicly financed mental health, behavioral health, and addiction services” was conditionally vetoed by Governor Murphy on December 14th. The bill, which has been amended by the legislature to adopt all of the Governor’s recommendations, has to do with preventing disruption of services by labor disputes. (Continued)

Federal

. Budget: FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill . On Dec. 23rd, Congress passed the $2.3 trillion “Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021” (H.R. 133), which included $1.4 trillion in appropriations for FY21 and $900 billion for COVID-19 relief. . On Dec. 27th, Pres. Trump signed into law the $1.4 trillion fiscal 2021 appropriations and $900 billion COVID-19 relief deal. - SAMHSA receive $4.25 billion to increase substance use and mental health prevention and treatment services: Includes an additional $1.65 billion each for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and the Mental Health Services Block Grant; $600 million for CCBHCs; and $50 million for SU prevention - State Opioid Response grant funding is level funded. - The bill also includes an additional $250 million to the Federal Communications Commission for its COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which is authorized under the CARES Act.

. Three-Year Extension of Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act (H.R. 1767) and Significant Additional Investment in Community Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) announced that they have secured $850 million in funding for the national Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants Program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which includes emergency COVID- 19 assistance and federal funding for fiscal year 2021. The Senators also secured a three-year extension of the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act, which established Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.

. COVID Relief Plan: Just prior to his inauguration, President Joseph Biden announced plans for a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The package includes provisions that would impact health systems and hospitals. It also includes provisions for COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, personal protective equipment, testing, contact tracing and workforce development. The package would also expand subsidies for healthcare coverage and create new occupational safety standards for a range of workers

. Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act (S.3312): This bill was signed into law. It authorizes the Department of Justice to award grants for state and local correctional facilities to provide clinical services for people with serious mental illness who need post-release mental health services. It also authorizes targeted training programs related to medication adherence and continuity of care for law enforcement, as well as collaborative programs involving justice agencies, mental health agencies and community-based behavioral health providers to help ensure access to appropriate medication and long-term health care for returning citizens.

. Legislation (H.R.133), which includes the Tax Relief Act of 2020, nullifies IRS guidance on business deductions and Paycheck Protection Plan forgivable loans: This bill nullifies previous guidance from the Internal Revenue Service regarding recipients of forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program and their inability to claim deductions for expenses funded from forgiven PPP loans. Under the new legislation, borrowers can deduct expenses paid out of forgiven PPP loans.

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. Pres. Biden’s Executive Orders: On Thursday, January 21st, President Joseph Biden signed a series of executive orders, aimed at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The actions focus on expanding testing, administering vaccines and advancing racial equity, among many other areas. The Biden Administration is also creating a White House COVID-19 Response Team and is focused on implementing a “whole government approach” to examine and address inequities. - Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response to Combat COVID-19 and to Provided United States Leadership on Global Health and Security - Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing - Establishing the COVID-19 Pandemic Testing Board and Ensuring a Sustainable Public Health Workforce for COVID-19 and other Biological Threats - Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19 - Ensuring a Data-Driven Response to COVID-19 and Future High-Consequence Public Health Threats - A Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain - Supporting the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Schools and Early Childhood Education Providers - Protecting Worker Health and Safety - Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel - Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery