Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to create written policies for emergency use of nasal seizure rescue medication and manual vagus nerve stimulators on students with seizure disorders. School nurses must develop these policies with training for designated staff, obtain parental written consent and liability waivers, and ensure hospital transport after emergency use. Schools must also provide age-appropriate epilepsy education at least once between kindergarten-third grade and grades six-12. The policy takes effect 12 months after enactment to allow time for training development.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides an additional $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible military service members purchasing primary residences in New Jersey, on top of existing state homebuyer programs. It specifically targets members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserve who served at least 90 days of active duty after 9/11 or during the 1990-1991 Gulf War period, were honorably discharged, or were discharged due to service-connected injuries. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency would administer the program, with funds limited to available appropriations. Surviving spouses of eligible service members also qualify if they meet all other eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to give priority consideration to permit applications submitted by counties or municipalities that have entered into 10 or more shared services agreements under the Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act (P.L.2007, c.63). It directs the Department of Community Affairs to maintain and publicly post a list of qualifying jurisdictions on its website. The policy directly affects local governments with established shared services agreements and state agencies processing permits, streamlining their review process.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's annual payment to certain veterans and their surviving spouses from $750 to $3,000. It directly affects veterans with specific service-connected disabilities, including total loss of sight, paraplegia, amputations, or permanent loss of use of limbs due to military service, as well as their surviving spouses. The payment change applies to veterans covered under existing laws (R.S. 38:18-2, 38:18A-2) and takes effect January 1 following the bill's passage. Currently, 207 individuals receive this benefit at the lower rate.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access at state-owned lakes where boating is permitted, within two years of enactment. It appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to fund construction, contracts with private marinas (via public bidding), or other solutions for public boat launches. The policy directly affects residents seeking recreational access to state lakes, such as Greenwood Lake, where public access has been limited as private marinas now restrict or charge for day-use access. Key provisions mandate DEP action if access cannot be provided due to funding constraints, requiring a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the issue and needed resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Mental Health Awareness Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Education, targeting middle and high school students. School districts wishing to participate must apply with data on student demographics, absenteeism, academic performance, mental health staffing, and current services. The Commissioner of Education will select six districts - ensuring regional and community diversity (urban, suburban, rural) - to implement innovative mental health awareness and coping skills initiatives. After two years, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and recommend whether to continue or expand it.

Maddy summaryAJR 17 is a commemorative resolution designating August 27 of each year as "Billy Cray Day" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or programs but aims to raise public awareness about abuse and neglect in congregate settings for individuals with developmental disabilities. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to honor this day, referencing the 2017 death of Billy Cray - a 33-year-old man with developmental disabilities found deceased in a congregate setting - and ongoing concerns raised by the Ombudsman's office. This resolution serves solely as a symbolic observance, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for New Jersey disabled veteran renters, allowing them to claim up to $1,000 annually for the portion of their rent that covers property taxes. The credit is nonrefundable (meaning it only reduces tax owed, not to less than zero) and applies to rent paid by the veteran personally. If married and filing separately, each spouse receives half the credit; if sharing housing with others (not a spouse), the credit is limited to the rent the veteran actually paid. This credit is in addition to an existing $50 credit for certain elderly, blind, or disabled renters who pay rent covering property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3171) requires the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Homes in Paramus and Menlo Park to convert at least one section in each facility to single-occupancy rooms and upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to infection control standards. The Adjutant General may also require additional modifications like negative pressure ventilation for infectious disease control. Funding will come first from federal block grants (including American Rescue Plan Act funds) allocated to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, with state General Fund money covering shortfalls if needed. The changes directly affect veterans residing at these two specific facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill criminalizes occupying an empty or vacant home without the owner's permission, addressing what the bill calls "squatting." It creates three specific offenses: forcibly entering a vacant dwelling (housebreaking), taking up residence without permission (unlawful occupancy), and reentering after a court-ordered eviction (unlawful reentry). All are classified as fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The bill presumes a person knows they lack permission unless they provide a notarized rental agreement with the owner's contact details, changing the current process where owners must seek civil court eviction.