Asm. Antwan McClellan

Maddy summaryAJR 18 creates a temporary "Teacher Professional Development Task Force" to study New Jersey's current requirements for public school teachers and school leaders. The 11-member task force - comprising the Education Commissioner, six Governor-appointed representatives from education groups, and four public members with relevant expertise - will examine the scope, topics, and frequency of mandated professional development. It must recommend changes to these requirements, including whether current trainings are overly burdensome or need additional topics, within 12 months. The task force will issue a final report to the Governor and Legislature but does not change existing requirements itself.

Maddy summaryAJR 55 designates March 16 each year as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs that assist veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution directly affects veterans, service dog organizations (such as Paws Healing Heroes in Glassboro), and the public by raising awareness of these animals' role in veteran support. Its key mechanism is an annual designation requiring the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public observance. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with funding or regulatory changes, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program through New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to fund YouthBuild programs serving economically disadvantaged youth aged 16-24 who have not completed high school. The program requires participating organizations to provide integrated education and job training (50% classroom instruction, 50% construction/vocational training), leadership development, counseling, and job placement assistance. It mandates that programs provide stipends to participants to cover participation costs and culminate in industry-recognized credentials. Only nonprofit organizations affiliated with YouthBuild USA or with previous HUD YouthBuild funding are eligible to apply, and funded programs must report outcomes to the Department of Labor. The bill appropriates state funds to support this program, aiming to increase access to and sustainability of YouthBuild services throughout New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A774) requires New Jersey to pay "just compensation" to businesses forced to partially or fully close due to state-ordered public health emergencies (like pandemic restrictions). It directly affects business owners who lost income or were forced out of business because they complied with emergency closure orders. Key provisions allow owners to sue the state for either lost income during/after closure or loss of the business itself ("going concern"), but the business owner must prove the loss was caused by the emergency order and calculate the compensation amount. The law applies to emergencies starting January 1, 2020, and requires lawsuits to be filed within one year after the emergency order ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey police departments to donate unclaimed bicycles to qualified nonprofit organizations instead of selling them at auction. Specifically, if a bicycle is found by police and remains unclaimed for six months (or if the owner refuses it), departments may donate it to nonprofits exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Municipalities must approve eligible nonprofits annually through a resolution, and donations can only occur after the six-month waiting period. The change supports nonprofits that refurbish and distribute bikes to families and individuals in need, particularly those facing economic hardship.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's unemployment compensation law to set new eligibility requirements for seasonal government workers. It states that individuals employed by the State, counties, municipalities, school districts, or other political subdivisions in seasonal roles will not qualify for benefits unless they worked at least 100 days in their base year within a seasonal occupation or earned wages in other covered employment equal to at least 10 times their average weekly wage. The bill defines "seasonal industry or occupation" as one that customarily operates for less than 26 weeks annually due to climactic conditions. This change specifically affects seasonal government employees who may have previously qualified for benefits under broader eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's existing law to rename the "New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative Foundation" to the "New Jersey Black Heritage Foundation." It reduces the foundation's board of trustees from 25 to 12 members, adds the Governor or designee as a board member, and increases public board members' terms from three to five years. Crucially, the bill mandates an annual $500,000 state appropriation for the foundation's operations starting in fiscal year 2023, requiring the executive director to submit an annual budget request to the Governor and Treasury. The foundation directly affects Black cultural organizations, arts groups, and tourism initiatives across New Jersey that receive its support for programming, education, and heritage preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to specifically address human trafficking in underserved communities, with a focus on girls and women of color who face heightened vulnerability. The Attorney General must allocate resources within the Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate with local law enforcement on trafficking investigations, partner with victim support programs and community organizations to connect victims with resources, and collect data on trafficking trends in these communities. These actions are intended to target the unique challenges faced by underserved populations experiencing human trafficking. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill reallocates 100% of revenue from New Jersey's hotel and motel occupancy fees to arts, historical heritage, and tourism programs, replacing the current 40% allocation. It sets specific minimum funding levels: at least $31.9 million annually for the State Council on the Arts (56.7%), $5.5 million for the Historical Commission (9.6%), $17.6 million for tourism promotion (31.9%), and $720,000 for the Cultural Trust (1.8%). The change directly affects hotels and motels (required to collect and remit the fee) and state agencies managing these funds. It ensures all collected fees - previously partially directed to the General Fund - now exclusively support these cultural and tourism initiatives. The bill amends existing law to mandate these new allocation percentages starting in fiscal year 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to review all public services it currently offers that aren't available online. Within six months, the MVC must study which services can be provided online (checking for federal law conflicts), then submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within nine months. The MVC must then make all feasible services available online within three years of the bill's effective date. This directly affects New Jersey drivers and vehicle owners who use MVC services, such as license renewals or registration, by shifting them to digital access where possible.