Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThis procedural bill establishes the "Remote Work Study Commission" to evaluate remote work impacts in New Jersey. The 11-member commission - comprising state labor officials, bipartisan legislative appointees, business representatives (NJ Business & Industry Association and NJ Chamber of Commerce), and public members - will study whether remote work advantages outweigh disadvantages, its effects on productivity, and pandemic-related changes. The commission must issue a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its first meeting, after which the bill expires. It does not enact policy but directs a study on remote work dynamics affecting workers, employers, and households.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "CreateNJ" Center at Thomas Edison State University to help nontraditional students and workers convert work experience into recognized academic credits and career credentials. The center will create a standardized "CreateNJ Workforce Transcript" validating skills, knowledge, and training, and maintain a voluntary database of credentialed skills from participating colleges. It requires a 12-member steering committee - co-chaired by the university president and labor commissioner - with representatives from education, business, and workforce agencies to guide the program. The center may charge fees to fund its operations and accept grants to support its mission of connecting workforce development with higher education pathways.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2246) makes it a crime to create, sell, display, or possess false documents claiming someone received a COVID-19 vaccine. It imposes penalties ranging from up to 18 months in jail for possessing a fake card (fourth degree) to 5-10 years for selling or making them (second degree). The bill also requires the Attorney General to create a fraud prevention program within 30 days, using confidential access to the state’s vaccination records to investigate and prosecute fake card schemes. The program is limited to verifying vaccination status for fraud cases and cannot share personal health data beyond that purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-run insulin assistance program administered by New Jersey's Department of Human Services. It provides full reimbursement to participating pharmacies for insulin and related supplies dispensed to uninsured individuals who qualify based on financial hardship and have a valid prescription. Qualified individuals receive insulin at no cost for 90-day periods, with the option to reapply for additional 90-day terms if funds remain available. Participation is contingent on both department funding and documented inability to afford insulin despite having a prescription. The program requires pharmacies to register with the state and dispense insulin only to approved individuals meeting the financial criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in New Jersey to administer specific vaccines during declared public health emergencies involving infectious disease outbreaks. To qualify, EMTs must be certified by the state Department of Health (DOH), complete CDC-based training approved by DOH, and have their competency verified by a medical director. The vaccines must be recommended by the CDC for the specific disease causing the emergency, and administration must follow CDC or DOH guidelines. This change applies only during active emergencies and does not alter EMTs' regular scope of practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows active members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who were enrolled in the Transit Employees' Retirement Program (TERP) of New Jersey Transit Corporation on or before July 30, 2006, to receive service credit in PERS for their prior TERP service. Specifically, it provides one year of PERS service credit for every 3.5 years of service in TERP, but only if TERP transfers all accumulated member contributions (with interest) and employer contributions to PERS. If members withdrew their TERP funds or the transfer cannot occur, they do not receive the credit. This applies only to those without a vested retirement benefit in TERP based on that service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Police Training Commission to include cultural diversity and implicit bias training in the basic curriculum for all new police officers. It defines implicit bias as having unconscious attitudes or stereotypes toward people based on race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. The bill also mandates that instructors at police training schools must complete specialized training in cultural diversity and implicit bias. This applies to all municipal, county, and state police departments across New Jersey, affecting every officer undergoing initial training.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Recovery Tax Credit Program" to incentivize New Jersey employers to hire and retain individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. Employers must meet specific certification requirements, including providing employer-sponsored insurance meeting minimum essential coverage standards and partnering with local recovery providers, to qualify for the program. Certified employers can claim a tax credit of $1 per hour worked by eligible individuals, up to a maximum of $2,000 per individual (with a minimum of 500 hours worked), with a total annual program allocation of $2 million. The credit can be applied against Corporation Business Tax or Gross Income Tax, but cannot exceed 50% of the employer's tax liability for the year.

Maddy summaryACR 92 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's annual income limit for the senior and disabled property tax deduction from $10,000 to $15,000 per year, effective 2023. This change would allow more senior citizens (65 or older) and permanently disabled residents to qualify for the deduction, which currently caps at $250 annually. The income threshold has remained unchanged since 1983 ($10,000), so the amendment would expand eligibility to those earning between $10,000 and $15,000. The amendment requires voter approval in the next general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2869) authorizes New Jersey's Attorney General to negotiate bulk purchase contracts for opioid antidotes (like naloxone/Narcan) on behalf of state, county, and local law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, first aid squads, and other public entities. It directly affects these public safety organizations by enabling them to secure lower prices through centralized negotiations with drug manufacturers. The key mechanism requires the Attorney General to directly contract for better pricing or rebates, replacing individual entity purchases. The bill takes immediate effect and codifies an existing practice to improve access to life-saving antidotes.