Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 10% tax credit against New Jersey's corporation business tax and gross income tax for commercial farm operators who donate eligible fruits and vegetables (fit for human consumption) to qualifying charitable organizations in New Jersey. To claim the credit, farms must obtain written verification from the charity detailing the donation's value, quantity, and origin, and submit it with their tax return. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years, but the total credit cannot exceed 50% of a farm's tax liability for the period. The bill also requires the state tax division to publish annual reports tracking credit usage, donation volumes, and beneficiary organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's "Bringing Veterans Home Initiative" into law, directly affecting unhoused or homeless veterans across the state. It requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs (with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs) to establish six regional hubs, create a standardized referral form, use state data to target housing needs, and help veterans access existing housing benefits. The initiative aims to provide safe, stable housing for every unhoused veteran through coordinated state agency efforts. The bill takes immediate effect, formalizing a 2024 pilot program launched by Governor Way.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies specifically to members who have been retired and receiving benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those hired after the bill's effective date, those in deferred retirement, and those with 20-24 years of service. The COLAs are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners, with benefits up to $75,000 receiving full adjustment, while higher benefits are capped at a 1% annual increase. The $75,000 threshold will adjust annually based on inflation, and the bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds to cover both state and local costs for these adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to provide current non-retired members and those applying for retirement after the bill's effective date with the same benefits as members enrolled before July 1, 2007. It eliminates tiered membership by moving all current TPAF members to Tier 1, requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) in TPAF, and allows Defined Contribution Retirement Program participants to transfer service credit to TPAF without transferring contributions. Participants in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program have six months to opt out of the transfer after receiving notice. These changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to consult with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) when a court finds that a person who abused or neglected a child has a developmental disability and qualifies for DDD services. It mandates DCPP to work with DDD to create a tailored services plan for that individual, considering their disability. DDD must then determine the most appropriate service methods based on the person's specific disability needs. The policy change applies directly to adults with developmental disabilities involved in child abuse/neglect cases who are eligible for DDD support, ensuring their treatment aligns with disability-specific care standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus personnel transporting students with disabilities to call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies and report these calls to the Office of Special Education. It mandates that school buses carrying students with disabilities be equipped with interior video cameras, real-time GPS tracking, and two-way communication devices. The bill expands training requirements for school bus personnel to include recognizing and responding to potential life-threatening emergencies involving students with disabilities. School bus contractors and school districts that fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, and video footage and GPS data must be retained for at least 180 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4148, now P.L.2024, c.103) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) to create and distribute informational materials about type 1 diabetes to parents and guardians of public school students. The materials must explain type 1 diabetes, its warning signs, screening recommendations, treatment planning, and school care protocols, as specified in the law. School districts must make these resources available to families through the DOE website. The law took effect immediately upon approval and directly affects all parents/guardians of students in New Jersey public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, making it a second-degree crime when bodily injury occurs (previously a third-degree crime). It expands protection to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel who are assaulted while performing their duties. The bill requires offenders to provide a blood or biological sample for testing for communicable diseases, with any positive results shared with the victim. It also prohibits plea bargains for assault on law enforcement officers and prevents convictions from merging with other offenses. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. If bodily injury occurs, assaulting a law enforcement officer would become a second-degree crime (5-10 years in prison) rather than third-degree under current law. The bill also requires offenders to submit to testing for communicable diseases when assaulting these professionals, with positive results shared with the victim. It expands the list of protected professionals to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel under the assault with bodily fluids provision. These changes would apply to offenses occurring after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide tax credits to New Jersey employers who hire individuals with disabilities meeting specific criteria. Employers could claim a credit equal to 15% of wages paid to qualifying employees (up to $2,000 per employee) against corporation business tax and gross income tax. To qualify, employees must have a disability recognized under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, work at least 35 hours per week, earn at least $15 per hour, and not be independent contractors. Employers must apply for certification from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, with specific timelines for review and approval.