Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires school districts to create policies for students using internet-connected medical devices (like remote monitoring tools) prescribed by healthcare providers. The policies must be developed within 90 days and cover parental information sharing, strict data privacy protections, and staff training. School districts must also maintain necessary technology infrastructure, with funding available through a new "Medical Device Technology Fund" grant program. Districts must annually report student usage numbers, implementation challenges, and suggestions for improvement to the state education commissioner. The bill directly affects school districts, students with medical devices, and their parents/guardians.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program through New Jersey's Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN) to help veterans' memorial homes establish nurse residency programs for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. It appropriates $500,000 to fund financial, material, and technical support for participating homes, requiring programs to include a 12-month timeline, full-time schedules, and mentoring by experienced nurses. Veterans' memorial homes must apply for support, with approval on a first-come basis, and will collect data on program completion and nurse retention. The program mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on participation and spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers in New Jersey to direct traffic during emergencies or disasters. To qualify, members must pass a physical exam, complete approved training, and take an oath. They may direct traffic on roadways until police arrive or at public events with law enforcement approval, wearing required safety gear. The bill also provides legal protection for CERT traffic officers acting in good faith within their training.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Jersey Spirits Program" within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote distilled alcoholic beverages made in the state using locally grown ingredients like grains, fruits, and herbs. The program requires the Department to run advertising campaigns, share information about NJ distilleries and products, and establish a "Jersey Spirits" label (similar to the existing "Jersey Fresh" food label) to help consumers identify locally produced spirits. It directly benefits New Jersey distilleries that use state-grown ingredients by increasing their market visibility and consumer awareness. The program takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program allowing New Jersey volunteer emergency responders (firefighters, first aid squad members, or emergency management volunteers) who have in-state undergraduate student loans to receive up to $6,000 in loan redemption. Participants must complete 500+ annual volunteer hours (or meet firefighter response/certification standards), be state residents, and provide proof of active service. The redemption pays $2,000 per year during the second, third, and fourth years of service after graduation, with no payment in the first year. It applies only to loans used for undergraduate study at New Jersey institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary five-year teaching certification program for veterans in New Jersey. It allows veterans who have completed at least four years of honorable military service, earned 60 college credits, and passed subject-matter exams to receive a temporary certificate while enrolled in an approved educator preparation program at a New Jersey university. School districts can hire these veterans full- or part-time, and their teaching experience counts toward their program's clinical practice requirement. The program applies to veterans honorably discharged from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserve components.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1850) sets a flat 5.9% tax rate on New Jersey gross income above $37,500 for single filers or $75,000 for married couples filing jointly, while exempting all income below those thresholds from taxation. It directly affects New Jersey residents whose taxable income exceeds these filing-status-specific limits. The key provision replaces previous tiered tax brackets with a single flat rate for income above the exemption thresholds. This change simplifies the tax structure for higher earners while maintaining tax exemption for lower-income taxpayers. The bill was introduced in 2026 and referred to the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to prioritize principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure loans to municipalities in coastal areas. It directly affects coastal municipalities needing funding for projects like wastewater treatment and water supply systems. The key mechanism establishes that these coastal communities will receive preferential treatment in the existing Interim Environmental Financing Program for eligible projects listed on the DEP's priority list. The change modifies how loan forgiveness is allocated within current financing programs, without creating new funding sources.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3187) increases penalties for fraudulently obtaining or withholding unemployment insurance benefits. It raises fines to 50% of the fraudulently obtained amount (minimum $250) for individuals and employers, with 10% of recovered fines going to the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund and 15% to the main unemployment fund. The bill applies to both state and federal unemployment programs, including disaster assistance and federal civilian employee benefits. Introduced to the Assembly Labor Committee in January 2026, it focuses on strengthening enforcement against fraud.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows eligible residents to deduct 50% of out-of-pocket expenses for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment from their gross income when filing state taxes. It directly affects individuals or couples paying for IVF who are not covered by specific health insurance plans (including state programs like the State Health Benefits Program) and whose expenses aren't already deductible as medical costs. The deduction applies to costs for the taxpayer, spouse, or domestic partner, but excludes amounts reimbursed by insurance or already claimed under existing medical expense deductions. The law takes effect immediately for tax years beginning after its enactment.