Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Linda Stender to require the state to establish and maintain a website to provide a clearinghouse of information for nonprofit organizations that provide services in New Jersey continues moving toward law.
The bill was approved 75-0 by the Assembly in September and recently released by a Senate panel. The Senate is set to consider it for final legislative approval on Monday.
Currently, to acquire information regarding existing resources that are being offered by various executive departments and state agencies, nonprofits must visit each department’s and agency’s website to obtain that information.
“This website would provide a one stop location where nonprofits can obtain information and links to various state agencies and departments that provide information and resources, without having to visit multiple department and agency websites,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “All of this information will be contained on one website, making it less burdensome for nonprofits to provide valuable services so vital to the well-being of communities throughout our state.”
“The less complicated we can make it for nonprofits to serve our state, the better it will be for residents who benefit from their invaluable work,” said Stender (D-Union/Middlesex/Somerset). “Just as we’re working to cut red tape for businesses, we should work to cut red tape for nonprofits, especially with this difficult economy making their work so vital.”
The bill (A-2137) requires the departments and agencies featured on the Department of State’s website to update the information provided on their respective websites on a monthly basis to ensure visitors receive the most current information regarding the types of resources offered.
It also requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Chief Technology Officer of the Office of Information Technology, to identify information needed for the new website and to create a timeline and standard template for collecting that information. TLS.