Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis resolution permanently designates the last week in February as "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation for the week and encourages public officials and citizens to observe it with awareness activities. The resolution also directs that copies be sent to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) to support their work. The goal is to raise public awareness about eating disorders and encourage affected individuals and families to seek treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded internship program for New Jersey legislators, allowing each member to hire interns using up to $10,000 annually from a $1.2 million state appropriation. It requires interns to be full- or part-time students at accredited higher education institutions (excluding law and PhD programs), with New Jersey residents or students at NJ schools receiving priority. Participants complete at least one work period in a legislator's district office and receive a $1,000 stipend per period, paid bi-weekly or monthly. The program aims to provide practical experience for students while supporting legislative staff capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the construction of new crematories within 1,000 feet of public or private schools, residentially zoned areas, or specific recreational spaces like parks, playgrounds, beaches, or conservation areas. It applies to all new crematory construction applications submitted after the bill's effective date, requiring the Cemetery Board to deny permits that violate these location limits. The restriction does not apply to crematories operated within funeral homes under existing law. This policy change directly affects developers and applicants seeking to build new crematories in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to make voluntary annual contributions of up to $70,000 to nonprofit veterans' organizations that provide support services to veterans (including physical, emotional, and medical care). It directly affects local governments, which can now fund these organizations, and the veterans' groups themselves. The bill defines eligible organizations broadly to cover services addressing veterans' needs, and requires audits if contributions exceed $70,000. This expands existing funding rules that already permit up to $125,000 annually for emergency services associations.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces the current fixed interest rate (6% per annum) or "legal rate" used in eminent domain cases with a court-determined interest rate. Under the bill, courts would calculate interest after final compensation determination, considering factors like prevailing commercial rates, prime rates, and rates that fairly compensate property owners for loss of use of their property. The change would apply to all eminent domain cases where compensation is being determined. This makes interest calculations more flexible and potentially more reflective of current market conditions, directly affecting property owners and government entities involved in eminent domain proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey financial institutions (like banks, credit unions, and mortgage servicers) to allow homeowners (mortgagors) to choose biweekly payments (every two weeks), bimonthly payments (twice monthly), or extra payments directly to their mortgage principal - without penalties. It mandates that any amount paid beyond the annual required total in biweekly plans must reduce the principal balance. The law applies to all new mortgage agreements signed six months after enactment and affects homeowners seeking more flexible repayment options to potentially pay off loans faster. It does not change existing mortgage terms but expands payment choices for future agreements.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates May 18 of each year as "Six Triple Eight Day" in New Jersey to honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-African American, all-female U.S. Army unit that served during World War II. The resolution commemorates their historic achievement in delivering over 14 million pieces of backlogged mail to U.S. personnel in Europe under difficult conditions. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. The resolution specifically recognizes that 28 New Jersey women served in the unit, including those from Allentown, where one member was born on May 18.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have New Jersey join the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing social workers licensed in New Jersey to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes a system where social workers must meet specific requirements (including passing national exams, holding appropriate degrees, and completing supervised practice) to qualify for a multistate license. It creates a commission to manage the compact, handle data sharing among states, and address disciplinary actions. The compact aims to increase access to social work services, reduce duplicate licensing requirements, and support workforce mobility for social workers across member states. This would directly affect social workers seeking to practice in multiple states and the states' licensing authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "funeral arranger" license category in New Jersey, allowing individuals to arrange funerals without needing to be trained in embalming. Currently, New Jersey's 70-year-old Mortuary Science Act requires funeral professionals to be licensed as "practitioners of mortuary science," which includes proficiency in both funeral directing and embalming. The new license would enable people who don't want to learn embalming (for religious, cultural, environmental, or personal reasons) to enter the funeral services profession. The bill modifies licensing requirements, including examinations that exclude embalming content, while maintaining the existing requirements for mortuary science practitioners. This change aims to better accommodate New Jersey's diverse population and increasing preference for cremation or burial without embalming.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act" requiring New Jersey State agencies to set specific contract utilization goals for minority and women-owned businesses based on a 2024 disparity study. It sets detailed percentages for contracts across different categories, including 24.26% of construction contracts for women-owned businesses and 10.14% for Hispanic American-owned businesses. State agencies must develop annual plans to achieve these goals and make a "good faith effort" to meet them, with remedial actions required if they fail to do so. Prime contractors are also required to make good faith efforts to meet subcontractor goals for minority and women-owned businesses. The bill amends previous set-aside laws by removing goals for minority and women-owned businesses and shifting oversight to the Department of the Treasury's Office of Diversity and Inclusion.