Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new fee for landlords filing eviction actions related to unpaid rent in New Jersey. It targets renters facing imminent homelessness due to inability to pay rent, requiring them to be New Jersey residents with income under 80% of area median income and not hiding assets. The bill also changes how mortgage-related homelessness assistance is provided, requiring it as a secured loan (not direct cash) for owner-occupied homes. Eligibility includes prioritizing vulnerable groups like seniors, disabled individuals, domestic violence victims, and families with children facing separation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a web-based tool and mobile app to help residents meet new work requirements for NJ FamilyCare and SNAP programs. It directs DHS to partner with the Governor's Office of Volunteerism to build a searchable database of approved volunteer opportunities that count toward the 80-hour monthly community service requirement for NJ FamilyCare (affecting 1.8 million recipients) and expanded SNAP work rules (affecting 425,000 households). The system will allow beneficiaries to find, register for, and document volunteer hours online, with annual audits to verify compliance. The law aims to prevent beneficiaries from losing coverage due to administrative hurdles under federal changes to these safety-net programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded internship program allowing New Jersey legislators to hire students as interns. It requires the program to be open to undergraduate and graduate students (excluding law and PhD candidates) from accredited colleges, with priority for New Jersey residents or students attending New Jersey institutions. Interns must complete a work period at a legislator's district office, set by the legislator, and may extend their internship with mutual agreement. The program will seek federal grants (such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act's "On-the-Job Training" program) and state funding to support these internships.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory licensing system for general contractors in New Jersey, requiring all individuals or businesses classified under trades 006, 007, 008, or 009 (as defined by the state Treasury Department) to obtain a license. It creates the New Jersey State Board of General Contractors to set licensure standards, review applications, administer exams, and manage renewals, with six board members required to have at least 10 years of contracting experience. To qualify, applicants must meet one of three pathways: complete a construction degree with field experience, complete a state-approved apprenticeship with four years of supervised work, or demonstrate five years of field experience under a licensed contractor. The law prohibits unlicensed practice, mandates license display at job sites, and includes grandfathering for contractors with 10+ years of experience prior to the law's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides educational support professionals (non-teaching school staff) with up to four years of seniority credit for active military service they completed, including service before starting their school job. To qualify, a professional must be declared eligible for federal veterans' benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The credit counts as if the professional were employed full-time during their military service, directly affecting their seniority calculations for school district benefits and job protections. The bill aligns seniority treatment for these staff with existing provisions for teaching staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors working on New Jersey public works projects to verify that all craftworkers meet minimum qualifications. Specifically, it mandates that contractors register electronically and provide proof that each journeyperson has either completed a registered apprenticeship program meeting federal standards or has four years of documented work experience (with union members under certain collective bargaining agreements exempt). The law also requires contractors to confirm they participate in approved apprenticeship programs for any craftworkers they employ. These requirements apply directly to contractors bidding on or performing state-funded construction projects.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 229 requires colleges and universities to collect and publicly report detailed employment outcomes and earnings data for recent graduates, along with other key metrics like graduation rates, costs, and financial aid. Institutions must post annual, disaggregated data (by race, gender, income, and other factors) on their websites, including employment rates, average student debt, and cost projections for different student scenarios. This transparency aims to help prospective students and families compare institutions based on concrete outcomes rather than general information. The law applies to all higher education institutions in New Jersey, with reports due annually and linked directly from application pages. The Secretary of Higher Education will also compile comparative profiles to help students easily evaluate institutions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding to examine New Jersey's public higher education system. The task force, including representatives from the governor, legislature, university leaders, and labor groups, will analyze governance structures, funding mechanisms, reporting requirements, and workforce alignment over one year. It must hold public hearings and submit recommendations to the governor and legislature by the one-year deadline, using $200,000 in state funds for its operations. The bill does not enact policy changes but creates a study mechanism to inform future funding and governance decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's rules for health care sharing ministries to allow for greater diversity in how these organizations are formed. It removes a federal requirement that such ministries must have existed since 1999, arguing that this rule is outdated and allows some groups to exploit loopholes. The legislation also adds transparency by requiring these ministries to publish annual reports on their membership numbers and participant counts online. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals who join these ministries are exempt from state health insurance mandates, provided the organizations meet specific audit standards.