Asm. Luanne Peterpaul

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,000,000 to the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to study pediatric mental health care access for children. It requires the Institute to form a stakeholder group (including providers, administrators, and experts from all regions) to map the family journey in accessing care, identify barriers, eligibility rules, funding structures, and disparities by race/ethnicity. Within 13 months, the group must produce two reports: a visual map of the care access process and a summary of system issues with policy recommendations. The Department of Children and Families will then submit these reports to the Governor and Legislature within 15 months of enactment, making them publicly available online.

Maddy summaryAJR 60 is a joint resolution declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" to honor veterans and active duty military members from the state who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. The Purple Heart is a military decoration given to service members wounded or killed in action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This resolution joins three existing "Purple Heart States" (West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington) and takes effect immediately, recognizing New Jersey's existing connections to the "Purple Heart Trail" - a network of roads, bridges, and monuments honoring recipients. It serves as a symbolic tribute without creating new programs, funding, or legal obligations.

Maddy summaryAJR 25 designates the first full week of May each year as "Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by military veterans with physical or mental injuries sustained in service, including those with combat-related stress, PTSD, or traumatic brain injuries. It requests the governor issue a proclamation encouraging New Jersey residents and officials to observe the week with activities honoring wounded warriors. The bill does not create new programs, allocate funding, or impose obligations on state agencies - it is purely a ceremonial designation.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 131) urges the federal government to update the poverty threshold used to determine eligibility for public assistance programs. It argues the current federal poverty line - based on 1960s food costs and unchanged for decades - fails to account for modern expenses like housing, healthcare, and transportation, leaving millions who struggle to afford basics ineligible for aid. The resolution states that 53 million households face hardship but only 37.9 million are officially counted as poor under the current measure. It directly affects low-income households excluded from programs like Medicaid and food assistance due to the outdated calculation, especially amid rising costs since 2020. The resolution has no binding effect but requests federal action to expand access to public assistance.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 165) urges the U.S. federal government to create legislation providing proportional property tax relief for veterans with service-connected permanent disabilities. It proposes that veterans receive tax relief based on their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating (e.g., 30% disability would yield 30% tax relief), limited to their primary residence and veterans earning under $200,000 annually. The resolution highlights that New Jersey currently offers full property tax exemptions for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities, but this federal standard would extend similar proportional benefits to veterans nationwide. It does not create new state law but calls for federal action to ensure consistent support for veterans across all states.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows restaurants and licensed alcohol beverage retailers and manufacturers to expand their operations into designated outdoor spaces adjacent to their business locations, including public sidewalks. Businesses must apply for a "premises expansion permit" with their municipal zoning officer and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, providing detailed plans for outdoor space design, sanitation, and safety measures. Municipalities can set reasonable operating hour limits (generally allowing most hours except late-night on Sundays-Wednesdays and early morning on Thurs-Saturdays), but must follow state requirements for permit renewal. Restaurants without alcohol licenses must renew their outdoor permits annually, while those with alcohol licenses renew with their main business license. The bill specifies that municipal ordinances on sanitation, noise, and other matters still apply unless specifically modified by the municipality.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the uses of New Jersey's 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account. It adds a new provision to fund recruitment and retention costs for first responders (like police, firefighters, and EMTs) directly. Additionally, it requires 5% of annual funds in the account to be allocated to the New Jersey EMS Task Force, a nonprofit organization that supports emergency medical services statewide. The changes ensure these critical emergency response costs are covered through dedicated state funding.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A586 (A586) expands the state's affordable housing voucher program to cover homeownership expenses, such as mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance, instead of only rental assistance. It directly affects low-income households, seniors aged 62+, and veterans who qualify for the state's Rental Assistance Program (SRAP), requiring the Department of Community Affairs to reserve funds for this homeownership option. The bill mandates local housing authorities administering federal Section 8 vouchers to implement this homeownership program, which they currently aren't required to do. This change takes effect six months after enactment to allow time for implementation. The policy shift aims to help eligible residents transition from renting to homeownership using state-funded vouchers.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts volunteer firefighters and members of emergency response squads from New Jersey's unemployment compensation law. It excludes stipends (including clothing allowances) they receive from gross income calculations for tax purposes. Volunteer first responders who receive these stipends will not be subject to unemployment insurance taxes or counted toward temporary disability benefits contributions. The legislation aims to support municipalities in recruiting and retaining volunteer emergency personnel by making stipends tax-exempt, addressing staffing challenges in emergency services.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $20 million in additional state funding for New Jersey's Summer Tuition Aid Grants program for the summer 2025 semester. It directs that eligible undergraduate students - those who received aid in the prior fall or spring semester and are enrolled in summer courses at the same institution - will receive 75% of the full grant amount they would normally qualify for under current law. The funds are allocated to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to cover tuition costs for students enrolled in six or more credits during summer 2025. This is a supplemental appropriation to the existing FY2025 budget, specifically increasing the grant amount for summer enrollment without changing eligibility requirements.