Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill allows bingo halls, raffle organizers, and penny auction operators in New Jersey to accept credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payments for tickets or shares. It requires the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to create regulations enabling these electronic payment methods, which are currently prohibited under existing law. The change directly affects licensed operators of these games and their customers, who will now have more payment options. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (NJ A2377) reduces clinical practice requirements for teacher candidates seeking a "certificate of eligibility with advanced standing" in New Jersey. Currently, candidates must complete 175 hours of field-based experience (including 100 hours in the semester before full-time practice) over two semesters. The bill requires the State Board of Education to lower these requirements, directing the Commissioner of Education to develop recommendations for reduction after consulting education stakeholders. The change aims to allow candidates to fulfill clinical practice requirements in a single semester instead of two, directly affecting teacher training programs and aspiring educators.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a pilot program that would allow New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide loan guarantees to qualifying non-profit organizations. The program would specifically support non-profits that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, have existed for 10+ years, received prior state assistance, and plan to build new facilities creating at least 10 full-time jobs. Loan guarantees would cover up to $15 million per organization for new physical spaces, with repayment terms limited to 20 years. The program would be funded using moneys from the Economic Recovery Fund and repayments from guaranteed loans, but remains pending before the Assembly Commerce Committee as of its January 2026 introduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities by $15 million (from $740 million to $755 million) over two years. It directly affects most municipalities (excluding those with a municipal purposes tax rate of $0.10 or less per $100) by requiring them to subtract this additional aid from their property tax levies. The bill also prohibits municipalities from anticipating certain revenue when creating annual budgets. These changes aim to provide more direct property tax relief to local governments through the existing fund, which receives energy-related tax revenues.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 1399 (now law as P.L.2025, c.255) creates a new criminal offense for possessing digital instructions that enable illegal firearm manufacturing. The law specifically targets digital files, guides, or plans that could be used to make firearms or components without authorization. It directly affects individuals who access or share such digital materials, making it a crime separate from actually manufacturing firearms. This provision adds to New Jersey's existing firearm laws by addressing the digital means of circumventing manufacturing restrictions. The law became effective upon enactment and does not change penalties for actual illegal firearm production.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's protected tenancy law to provide senior citizens (62+ years) and disabled tenants with lifelong protection from eviction when landlords convert rental buildings to condos or cooperatives. It directly affects eligible tenants who meet income requirements and have lived in the property for at least one year, preventing forced moves due to ownership changes. The key change modifies the existing law to guarantee protected tenancy "for the full lifetime" of qualifying tenants, rather than a maximum 40-year period. This ensures these tenants can remain in their homes without rent hikes or lease changes solely because of a conversion, addressing concerns about displacement during economic hardship.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 589) establishes a 25-year minimum service requirement for inmates sentenced to life imprisonment before they become eligible for parole consideration. It directly affects individuals serving life sentences or long terms in New Jersey state prisons, modifying existing parole rules to require at least 25 years served (minus limited credits for good behavior or work participation). The key provision sets a fixed 25-year eligibility threshold for life-sentence inmates, replacing the previous system where eligibility depended on sentence length or mandatory minimums. This change applies to all life-sentence cases unless a judicial mandatory minimum term exceeds 25 years. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3723) requires licensed healthcare providers offering prenatal care to offer and provide, upon request, a screening for postpartum depression to pregnant patients with a history of depression. It directly affects pregnant individuals with prior depression diagnoses by adding a specific screening step during prenatal visits. Key provisions include mandating education about postpartum depression for patients and families, requiring screenings before birthing facility discharge and at early postnatal visits, and involving partners/family in education and support. The bill amends existing law (P.L.2000, c.167) to expand screening requirements beyond current universal postnatal checks.

Maddy summaryAJR 73 designates May of each year as "Older Americans Month" in New Jersey through a symbolic resolution. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of older residents' contributions to community life, civic engagement, and the workforce. The bill does not create new programs, funding, or policy changes - it solely establishes a formal month of acknowledgment. This follows a national tradition that began in 1980, focusing on honoring older Americans' ongoing value and rededicating efforts to support their well-being.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A1811 creates an emergency teacher certification for high-need fields like special education and bilingual education when school districts cannot find certified candidates. It allows chief school administrators to apply for this temporary certification, requiring candidates to be enrolled in an educator program, hold a bachelor’s degree, and pass subject exams. The certification can be renewed annually up to two times (maxing three years total), and school districts may employ no more than 10% of their teaching staff under this emergency certificate. The Department of Education must publish the list of eligible high-need fields online, with annual reevaluation by the State Board of Education.