Rep. Antwan McClellan

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school principals and teachers to lead a daily two-sentence oral recitation of the Declaration of Independence for students in grades three through twelve. The recitation must occur before each school day begins, immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance, and includes the famous passage about equality and unalienable rights. The legislation also mandates that schools develop age-appropriate curricula explaining the historical context of these words and provides $10,000 in funding to distribute official notices to educators. The act includes exemptions for students with conscientious objections and children of foreign diplomatic representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority to offer a 50 percent toll discount to eligible veterans using electronic toll collection systems. To qualify, a veteran must own or lease a New Jersey-registered vehicle linked to an active toll account and provide proof of honorable or general honorable discharge from the military or National Guard. The authorities must approve applications based on standard military separation documents or official veteran identification cards, and the discount applies to all tolls collected at any time.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies from creating climate change rules that go beyond the specific scope authorized by the Global Warming Response Act. It explicitly prevents agencies from adopting regulations based on climate projections for areas like flood hazards and coastal permitting without legislative approval. The legislation aims to ensure that the Legislature, rather than unelected administrators, retains the final authority over major energy and environmental policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus drivers and personnel to call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies involving students. It mandates that school buses transporting students with disabilities be equipped with specific safety features (though exact features aren't detailed in the text). The bill also requires annual safety training for all bus personnel, including emergency procedures and recognizing signs of life-threatening situations for students with disabilities. Funding for these requirements is included through an appropriation. The bill directly affects school bus operators, drivers, aides, and students with disabilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryACR 121 is a procedural resolution proposing a special session of the New Jersey Legislature focused solely on property tax relief and reform. It would require the presiding officers of both legislative houses to convene the session within seven days of the resolution's passage, dedicating it entirely to developing solutions for New Jersey's high property taxes. The resolution states that these taxes - among the highest in the nation - disproportionately burden residents, including the elderly, young people, and low-income families, while supporting schools and local governments. This measure does not enact tax changes itself but creates a dedicated legislative process to consider such reforms.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated "Civil Air Patrol Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. It requires the state to appropriate $100,000 annually from the General Fund to the fund, which can also receive federal grants and public donations. The money must support the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, specifically for programs like cadet STEM/aviation training, search and rescue readiness, disaster relief equipment (including a Redbird Simulator), and volunteer training. Unspent funds carry forward each year, making it a permanent funding source for these state-level Civil Air Patrol activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local government entities to purchase at least 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which supports rehabilitation facilities. It grants the CNA a "right of first refusal" for any goods/services typically bought through cooperative purchasing catalogs, provided they can match prices within 15% of fair market value. The bill also mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property create training protocols for all purchasing agents to ensure awareness of the CNA program, with annual reporting on compliance by all affected entities. These requirements apply to all state and local government bodies authorized to make purchases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2202) establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. It would cover specific remote services including remote monitoring of health data (like blood pressure or glucose levels), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, all delivered securely via digital technology. Eligibility includes beneficiaries with high-risk pregnancy factors (such as pre-existing conditions, age, or lifestyle factors) or those facing access barriers like lack of local providers, transportation, or childcare, but participation requires a provider referral and remains voluntary. The program depends on federal reimbursement and must comply with HIPAA and FDA regulations for data security and device approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $2.25 million grant program through New Jersey's Department of Education to support STEM education for low-income students in grades 6-8. It requires selected school districts (with existing STEM programs meeting specific criteria) to provide hands-on project-based learning, offer accelerated options for students behind grade level (allowing them to complete two years of material in one year), and include staff training and classroom resources. The program targets at-risk pupils defined as those from households earning at or below 1.85 times the federal poverty level. Funds will be administered by the Department of Education in partnership with the nonprofit Engaged Learning Strategies to expand existing STEM initiatives, not create new ones.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school boards to hire eligible veterans as coaches in school sports programs without requiring them to hold a teaching certificate or substitute credential. An "eligible veteran" is defined as a state resident honorably discharged after at least four years of military service. The bill directly affects veterans seeking coaching roles and school districts hiring for those positions, removing a current credential barrier. It does not change requirements for other school staff or student-athletes. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.