Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3945) protects hospitality franchisees - such as owners of hotels, motels, and inns - from certain unfair practices by franchisors. It prohibits franchisors from: - Keeping hidden payments from vendors (requiring full disclosure and sharing with franchisees or a committee), - Forcing franchisees to buy goods/services exclusively from them (unless reasonable standards apply), - Opening competing locations in a franchisee’s protected territory, or - Unilaterally changing terms without justification (like health/safety updates). The law also requires franchisors to disclose all fees in advance and get franchisee approval for new charges, with a Franchisee Advisory Committee overseeing fund use. It applies only to franchises operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3401) expands the state's child tax credit to include children aged 6-11, who were previously ineligible. It increases credit amounts for all children under 12 over two years: for example, taxpayers with income under $30,000 will receive $500 (2023-2024) or $600 (2025+) for children aged 6-11, and $750 (2023-2024) or $1,000 (2025+) for children under 6. Credits phase out completely for taxpayers earning over $80,000 annually and are refundable if exceeding tax liability. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with children in these age groups who file state taxes.

Maddy summaryAJR 56 designates September each year as "Kinship Care Month" in New Jersey through a symbolic resolution. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to recognize kinship caregivers - such as relatives or close family friends raising children when parents cannot - and highlight children in these arrangements. It does not change laws, provide new resources, or alter existing policies. This resolution aligns with national recognition of kinship care, which prioritizes maintaining family connections for children in foster care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires each New Jersey county to establish at least one drive-up ballot drop box accessible by vehicle, designed with features like curb cuts and handicap parking. It mandates that all ballot drop boxes (including the drive-up type) be secured, visible, and placed at specific locations such as county government buildings, large municipalities, and colleges with over 5,000 students. The bill also requires counties to post clear information at drop box locations, prohibits political materials within 100 feet of boxes during elections, and ensures accessibility compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. These provisions apply to all mail-in ballots deposited by election closing time.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to allow customers to book appointments online for in-person services. If a customer schedules an appointment to renew a license or registration that expires before the appointment date, the document's expiration is automatically extended to the appointment time, and the MVC provides written confirmation of this extension. It directly affects drivers needing to renew licenses, registrations, or other MVC-issued documents. The key change ensures customers aren't penalized for appointment wait times, streamlining renewal processes without requiring manual extensions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $1 million to fund confidential mental health services. It directly affects full-time firefighters and their immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living in the same household) who are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers, requiring the Commissioner of Human Services to develop application processes, prioritize providers within one hour of travel distance for patients, and maintain an online list of approved providers. The grant funding aims to overcome barriers preventing firefighters from seeking help due to fears of professional repercussions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students with diagnosed menstrual disorders (including severe cramps, endometriosis, heavy bleeding, or PCOS) to attend school remotely. Students' parents or guardians must submit a written request by the start of the school day, and schools may require medical documentation to verify the condition. Remote attendance counts as a full school day for graduation and course credit requirements. The bill directs education and health officials to create guidelines for schools on implementing this accommodation. It directly affects students in New Jersey public schools who experience these specific, medically recognized conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Second Chance Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The program provides career opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals by partnering with labor organizations to identify and create employment pathways in local trades. It directly affects people recently released from prison who face significant barriers to stable work. The key mechanism requires labor organizations - defined as per federal law - to collaborate with the state in developing job placement plans, aiming to reduce recidivism through meaningful employment. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refund program for businesses that pay application fees for state permits, licenses, or certifications when processing exceeds set time limits. State agencies must submit detailed catalogs of their permit types, fees, and current processing times to the Governor, who then sets recommended processing deadlines. If an agency fails to meet the recommended deadline after receiving a complete application, it must refund the fee (without affecting the permit's approval status). The program applies to all state departments, boards, or authorities issuing such permits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 12-member "Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment Best Practices Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Health. The task force will study whether oversight of addiction treatment services should be consolidated under one agency or improved through better coordination, develop best practices for treatment centers and sober homes, and recommend regulations for dual ownership of these facilities. It includes government officials, agency representatives, and public members (including treatment center managers and sober home owners) and must submit findings to the Governor and Legislature within two years. The task force aims to address fragmentation in New Jersey's current system, which involves multiple departments overseeing different aspects of addiction treatment and has faced issues like fraud and inefficiency.