Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Works Act creates a tax credit for businesses that fund pre-employment training programs targeting low- and moderate-income individuals for jobs in high-demand occupations. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage, covering skills like communication, job readiness, and career-specific instruction. The bill appropriates $1 million to support the initiative and requires training programs to be approved by the state, partner with schools or nonprofits, and exclude construction businesses. It directly affects qualifying businesses, educational institutions, and job seekers in targeted regions seeking career advancement opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $2,000 deduction from New Jersey gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad volunteers. To qualify, individuals must serve the entire tax year, meet specific duty requirements (60% fire service attendance or 400 duty hours for fire volunteers; 10% rescue service attendance or 400 duty hours for first aid/rescue volunteers), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I for fire volunteers or approved EMS training for rescue volunteers). Fire departments and first aid/rescue squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to create policies for emergency treatment of students with seizure disorders, specifically for administering nasal seizure rescue medication and using manual vagus nerve stimulators. It directly affects students with diagnosed seizure disorders, school nurses, and designated school staff trained to provide these emergency interventions. Key provisions include mandating written parental consent, requiring school nurses to train at least two volunteer staff members, ensuring medication access, and requiring hospital transport after emergency treatment. The policy also includes liability protections for school employees acting in good faith under the guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill reforms New Jersey Transit (NJT) governance by creating an independent Office of Customer Advocate to represent riders' interests. It requires the NJT board to include more diverse public members (with specific transit experience or expertise) and limits political party representation to no more than three members. The bill mandates detailed public reporting on capital projects and strengthens board independence from state transportation oversight. These changes directly affect NJT riders, board members, and the transparency of transit funding decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program, providing tuition assistance for veterans attending public colleges and universities in New Jersey. It directly affects veterans who completed at least one year of active military service (including National Guard or Reserves), hold an honorable discharge, reside in New Jersey, and apply for other available grants first. The program covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to 18 credits per semester after other aid is applied, with public institutions required to waive any remaining balance. To qualify, veterans must maintain good academic standing, not be in student loan default, and not receive ROTC scholarships, with grants renewable annually based on continued eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to publish quarterly crime data collected from local police departments within six months of each quarter's end, making it publicly available on the Department of Law and Public Safety website. It also mandates that the Attorney General submit an annual crime data report to the Governor and Legislature no later than 13 months after the reporting period ends. These deadlines apply to data collected under existing laws (P.L. 1966, c.37 and P.L.2007, c.303), addressing the current lack of specified timelines for public disclosure. The bill directly affects the Attorney General's office and ensures greater transparency for New Jersey residents regarding crime statistics.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-827) removes the requirement that disabled veterans' businesses must have a physical office in New Jersey to qualify for state contracts under the Set-Aside Act. It directly affects disabled veteran-owned businesses seeking state contracts, allowing them to qualify even if their principal place of business is outside New Jersey. The key change amends the law to eliminate the "principal place of business in the State" language from the definition of eligible businesses. This adjustment aims to expand the pool of eligible businesses, potentially helping state agencies meet their goal of awarding at least 3% of contracts to disabled veterans' businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a nonrefundable tax credit for disabled veterans in New Jersey who rent residential property. It allows qualifying disabled veterans to claim a credit of up to $1,000 annually for the portion of their rent that covers property taxes (calculated as 18% of rent paid). Married veterans filing separately each receive half the credit, and veterans sharing housing with non-spouses can only claim credit for their own rent payments. The credit applies in addition to existing rent tax credits for seniors or other disabled renters.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement plan within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) workers, including paramedics, EMTs, emergency medical supervisors, and other certified personnel who provide life support services. It requires these employees to join the "EMS Part" of PERS, pay a 10% salary contribution, and receive enhanced retirement benefits: 50% of their final salary for 20+ years of service, or a special option of 65% of final salary plus additional payments for 25+ years of service. Existing retirement credits will transfer to the new plan without extra cost to employees, and the bill also provides death benefits to beneficiaries equal to half the employee's final salary. The bill directly affects all eligible EMS employees in New Jersey state, county, and municipal roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to teach cursive handwriting to students in grades three through five. It mandates that school districts incorporate specific curriculum activities to help students read cursive text and write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment, applying to all public school districts in the state. It directly affects elementary school students and educators responsible for implementing the curriculum.