Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a program to help mental health professionals working with children and adolescents in New Jersey reduce student loan debt. Licensed mental health professionals who live in New Jersey, work full-time providing counseling to youth, and have qualifying student loan debt can receive up to $1,000 annually toward their loans (for up to 4 years) or claim a $1,000 tax credit against their state income tax. To qualify, participants must maintain residency, employment in qualifying roles, and provide proof of loan balance and service each year. The program aims to support mental health workforce development by easing financial burdens for professionals serving young people.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officer recruits and active officers to complete specific self-defense training. Recruits must take a basic course (1.5 hours, three times weekly during training plus a 40-hour final course), while active officers must complete 48 hours of annual in-service training. The Police Training Commission receives $250,000 to establish these programs, and training time does not count toward overtime compensation. The law directly affects all State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act," would provide a 50% reimbursement for the school portion of property taxes paid by eligible seniors aged 65 or older. To qualify, applicants must own or lease a homestead (including traditional homes, mobile homes in parks, condos, or cooperatives) as their primary residence, with income limits of $35,000 in the first year, $75,000 in the second year, and no limit thereafter. The reimbursement covers half the school tax portion paid on qualifying property, excluding commercial units or secondary residences, and adjusts for existing tax reductions. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly State and Local Government Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school boards to verify the work authorization of teaching staff and school employees using the federal E-Verify program. It applies to all new hires starting the first full school year after enactment and mandates annual verification for all current staff. The law directs the state education commissioner to provide schools with guidance on E-Verify requirements and federal rules. It does not prevent schools from hiring noncitizen teachers holding valid limited certificates under existing state law. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act to upgrade penalties for two specific offenses. It makes forging a patient's request for end-of-life medication (with intent to cause death) or coercing a patient into requesting such medication a first-degree crime. The key change is imposing a mandatory 25-year prison sentence without parole eligibility for these offenses, up from second- or third-degree penalties under current law. It directly affects healthcare providers, family members, or others interacting with terminally ill patients under the act. The bill does not change the core provisions of the Medical Aid in Dying Act itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 318) modifies New Jersey's requirements for condominium and cooperative associations managing certain multi-story residential buildings. It expands the timeframes for associations to conduct required capital reserve studies - extending the deadline for first-time studies from five years to one year after the law's effective date - and mandates these studies be reviewed by licensed professionals every five years. The studies must assess funding for maintaining the building's structural components (like foundations and load-bearing systems) and include detailed cost projections for repairs, replacements, and future inspections. Associations with less than $25,000 in common-area assets are exempt from these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires first responders who administer opioid antidotes during overdose responses to request infectious disease testing (for HIV, hepatitis, etc.) for the person if they had contact with their bodily fluids. If the person refuses voluntary testing within 24 hours, the public health officer can seek a court order for testing based on a risk assessment. Court-ordered testing must be performed promptly, with results shared only with the tested person and the responding first responder, maintaining strict confidentiality. The person receiving the antidote may also be required to cover the testing costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1085) amends New Jersey law to explicitly authorize the Division of Travel and Tourism to accept and use gifts or grants for promoting tourism. It directly affects the Division, allowing it to receive and spend funds specifically for marketing New Jersey’s arts, cultural sites, historical attractions, events, and venues. The key change adds a new provision (subsection o) to the existing statute, enabling the Division to utilize these external funds for tourism promotion without needing separate legislative approval for each gift or grant. This aligns with recommendations from a 2012 advisory commission report to strengthen tourism funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryACR 107 is a non-binding resolution urging the New Jersey Department of Education to pause the development and implementation of new Student Learning Standards for two years. It directly affects the Department of Education and State Board of Education by requesting a temporary halt to creating new standards, while pending legislative bills about curriculum and learning loss are reviewed. The resolution cites parent concerns about current standards, pandemic-related learning loss, and declining U.S. education rankings as reasons for the pause. It does not change existing standards but asks for a two-year moratorium to allow the Legislature to address related issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state loan program for New Jersey school districts facing significant budget shortfalls that would force cuts to nonmandatory programs like advanced courses, sports, music, and clubs. Districts must apply after receiving their state school aid notice, demonstrating they cannot resolve the shortfall through program reductions or tax increases while meeting specific criteria, including five years of at least 2% annual property tax hikes. The state will review applications within 30 days and allow districts to delay budget deadlines until a decision is made. The program aims to prevent cuts to educational offerings while ensuring districts have explored other budget options.