Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes two key mechanisms to address youth disconnection (young adults aged 16-24 not in school or employment): 1) A Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson, appointed by the Governor and reporting to the Education Commissioner, to develop statewide strategies for preventing disconnection and reconnecting affected youth. 2) A 25-member School Disconnection Prevention Task Force, including school leaders, youth advocates, and agency representatives, to analyze causes of disconnection, research solutions, and recommend best practices to school districts. The Ombudsperson must annually report progress to the Governor and Legislature, while the Task Force must issue a final report within nine months of forming, with follow-up accountability for implementation. This directly affects over 100,000 disconnected youth identified in New Jersey, focusing on systemic prevention and reconnection through cross-agency collaboration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state employees whose jobs involve face-to-face public interaction to work in person during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. It mandates state agencies to create detailed reopening plans within 15 business days of enactment, covering safety measures like PPE, cleaning protocols, social distancing, and accommodations for high-risk employees. If an agency must temporarily close, it must provide public alternatives such as video platforms or mobile units. The requirements expire when the Governor ends the public health emergency, with agencies required to report compliance to the Governor and Legislature within 60 business days.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program requiring New Jersey's Department of Labor to record a representative sample of customer service calls related to unemployment insurance claims. The program will measure call resolution rates, time to resolution, and any link between call handling delays and the amount of benefits received. The Commissioner must conduct annual surveys of these recorded calls and publish reports detailing the system's effectiveness, which will be shared with the Governor and Legislature. These reports aim to identify improvements for the unemployment claims process without changing current benefit policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that disabled veterans' businesses must have their principal place of business in New Jersey to qualify for state contracts under the Set-Aside Act. It directly affects disabled veterans' businesses seeking to compete for state contracts, as they will no longer need to operate primarily within New Jersey. The key change amends the legal definition in the Set-Aside Act to eliminate the "principal place of business" clause from the eligibility criteria. 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 requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for undergraduate students who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients and reside in New Jersey. To qualify, recipients must be enrolled full-time (up to 16 credits per semester), have applied for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and maintain good academic standing. The waiver applies for up to eight semesters of study. It does not cover non-tuition costs like housing or books, and institutions determine eligibility documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school boards to give hiring preference to veterans for teaching positions when veterans are equally qualified as other candidates in all measurable criteria. It applies to all public school districts except those using Civil Service rules (Title 11A), where existing civil service veteran preference provisions would take precedence for classified staff. The preference is limited to the hiring process itself and does not guarantee employment. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program, providing financial aid to eligible veterans attending public colleges and universities in New Jersey. It covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to 18 credits per semester after other grants and scholarships are applied, with public institutions waiving any remaining balance if the grant is insufficient. To qualify, veterans must have served at least one year in active duty (including National Guard or Reserves), received an honorable discharge, reside in New Jersey, apply for other aid first, and maintain good academic standing. The program is administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires emergency medical services providers (such as ambulances, air medical teams, and first responders) to share certain information about people who experience drug overdoses with the Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS). The information, determined by the Attorney General, is intended to help connect overdose survivors with harm reduction strategies and recovery resources. It applies to all EMS entities providing pre-hospital care in New Jersey. The Attorney General must work with the Health Commissioner to create rules for implementing this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to reopen all state unemployment offices by March 1, 2022, and keep them open during public health emergencies. It mandates that DOLWD leadership (including the commissioner) face salary reductions (5% every two weeks for the first month, then 10% monthly) if offices remain closed past the deadline. The bill creates a "Unemployed Workers Compensation Fund" to collect these reduced salaries. It directly affects unemployed New Jersey residents needing access to unemployment services and DOLWD staff responsible for office operations. The measure expires once all offices are reopened.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A2396 requires the state's Secretary of Higher Education to create a career and education guide for college and university students with disabilities. The guide must detail campus resources (like disability career centers, internships, and accommodations), provide career planning advice (including how to discuss disabilities with employers and request workplace accommodations), and list national support organizations. It will be developed with input from the Labor Commissioner and university leaders, then made publicly available online. The bill directly affects students with disabilities seeking academic support and career opportunities in New Jersey's higher education system.