Asm. Antwan McClellan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's county mental health programs to include mental health services for veterans and prohibits denying these services based solely on veteran status. It amends existing law to explicitly list veterans as a target population for state funding grants, ensuring programs receiving state funds must expand services to meet veterans' mental health needs. The bill also mandates that counties must refer veterans to the VA for eligibility assistance while waiting for VA services, and cannot deny care during this process. These changes apply directly to veterans in New Jersey who qualify for county mental health programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2253) increases the annual amount credited to New Jersey's Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million. The fund receives the state portion of realty transfer fees collected when property deeds are recorded (calculated at $1.25 per $500 of property value). The change applies immediately to all future State fiscal years following enactment. This directly affects the Shore Protection Fund's annual funding level, doubling its baseline allocation from realty transfer fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $450,000 from the Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund - funded by fines from convicted drug offenders - to the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program. The program, established by law (P.L.2012, c.46), uses fishing activities to engage youth in drug prevention efforts. The funding covers implementation costs, and the bill encourages annual appropriations from the same fund or other sources to maintain the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program to test school breakfast kiosks in three New Jersey public school districts (one in each of the state's northern, central, and southern regions). It requires schools to place kiosks or carts in accessible locations (like hallways or classrooms) for students to purchase breakfast items, following federal nutrition and reimbursement rules. School districts must submit detailed plans covering food options, pricing, and logistics for state review, with the Department of Agriculture and Education overseeing implementation and funding. After the pilot, the state will report on participation rates, particularly among low-income students (those eligible for free/reduced-price lunch), to assess the program's impact on breakfast access.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to hire veterans without teaching certificates as coaches for school sports programs. It specifically permits districts to employ veterans who were honorably discharged after at least four years of military service. Currently, such coaching roles require a New Jersey teaching certificate or substitute credential. The bill removes this certification requirement for eligible veterans, directly affecting school districts and qualifying veterans seeking coaching positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restore approximately $331 million in municipal aid reductions that occurred during fiscal years 2009-2011 by gradually increasing distributions from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years. Starting in fiscal year 2017, municipalities would receive incremental increases (20% in 2017, 40% in 2018, 60% in 2019, 80% in 2020, and 100% starting in 2021) to fully restore aid levels from fiscal year 2012. The bill requires municipalities to subtract any additional aid received from their property tax levy when calculating their next year's tax amount. This directly affects all New Jersey municipalities that received aid from these funds, allowing them to lower property tax rates for residents while maintaining their overall aid levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's tax code to exclude certain retirement contributions from gross income tax calculations. Specifically, it would exclude contributions to qualified pension plans, deferred compensation plans, and provide a deduction for qualifying individual retirement account (IRA) contributions. Currently, private sector employees benefit from tax deferral on retirement contributions, but public sector employees (including government workers, school employees, and nonprofit staff) do not have the same tax treatment. The bill would extend similar tax advantages to these workers, making retirement savings more accessible for them. It would apply to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's annual veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,250, effective 2024. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses who reside in the state, allowing them to deduct the full $1,250 from property taxes (or cancel the tax if it's less than $1,250). The current $250 deduction has remained unchanged since 2003, and this amendment requires voter approval to take effect. If passed, it would be the first increase since 1999, when the deduction rose from $50 to $250.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts eligible veterans from New Jersey's state gross income tax. To qualify, a veteran must have been honorably discharged from U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component, or the New Jersey National Guard (in federal active duty status) and have gross income of $50,000 or less annually. The exemption applies to all taxable income under New Jersey's Gross Income Tax Act, regardless of filing status. It directly affects low-income veterans meeting these specific military service and income criteria. The law would take effect for tax years starting January 1 after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to remove the automatic disqualification from jury service for individuals with prior convictions of serious crimes (indictable offenses), except for convictions of murder or aggravated sexual assault. It allows people who have completed their sentences for other serious crimes to be considered for jury duty, provided they meet standard qualifications like U.S. citizenship and county residency. The bill does not affect those currently incarcerated for serious crimes, who remain disqualified. This update expands the pool of potential jurors by including more people with past criminal records, while maintaining specific exclusions for the most severe offenses.