Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county colleges to collaborate with county social services boards and state agencies to expand access to social services for low-income students. It mandates colleges to provide students with information about programs like SNAP, TANF, and childcare subsidies, and to facilitate direct application assistance through on-campus partnerships. The New Jersey Council of County Colleges must coordinate with the Department of Human Services to train college staff on helping students navigate these supports. Additionally, colleges must partner with workforce boards to identify unemployed residents and connect them to career-focused college programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New Jersey Suicide Hopeline to make follow-up calls to minors aged 16 or older who are identified as being at high risk of suicide without requiring parental consent. It amends state law to make a minor's consent for these follow-up calls valid and binding as if they were an adult, and confidential - meaning operators do not need to report the calls to parents or guardians. Currently, national guidelines for suicide hotlines require parental permission for such follow-ups, but this bill removes that barrier for minors 16+ seeking mental health support. The policy directly affects at-risk youth aged 16 and older who contact the Suicide Hopeline for crisis counseling.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5435) requires New Jersey's Division of Housing and Community Resources (DCA) to create a single, user-friendly online application form for all state and nonprofit residential utility assistance programs. It directs the DCA to partner with state agencies and designated nonprofits to integrate all existing and temporary programs - such as those helping households pay utility bills or improve energy efficiency - into one centralized website. The consolidated application aims to simplify access for residents struggling with utility costs by replacing multiple separate forms. The DCA must adopt necessary rules to implement this system, which would directly affect low-income households seeking utility bill assistance and the agencies administering these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system where municipalities that update their zoning regulations to allow for more housing options receive priority for state funding. Municipalities that adopt specific housing strategies - such as permitting accessory dwelling units, reducing parking requirements, or allowing multi-unit developments in commercial zones - can qualify for preference in state grants, including the Main Street New Jersey Program and Neighborhood Preservation Program. School districts in these municipalities may also receive up to a 10% increase in state aid for school construction projects. The bill requires municipalities to review and potentially amend their master plans and zoning regulations to incorporate these housing strategies, with planning boards required to report findings and recommend changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies (including the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Human Services, and the Board of Public Utilities) to review and potentially increase income thresholds for residential customers to qualify for utility bill assistance and energy efficiency programs. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households by expanding eligibility if agencies determine an increase is appropriate. Key mechanisms include mandating public input during reviews, aligning income thresholds across programs, and ensuring households aren't eligible for both low- and moderate-income energy efficiency programs. The review must be completed within one year of the bill's effective date, with agencies considering factors like State median income and program costs. The bill does not change current program rules but sets a process for future eligibility adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when contracts for operating official motor vehicle inspection facilities are renewed or new contracts are awarded, employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) must be offered employment first to meet staffing needs. It mandates that job offers to these employees must include compensation and benefits matching the terms of the existing CBA. Additionally, the bill ensures that any collective bargaining agreement in effect at the time remains binding on successors - such as companies acquiring assets or merging - during sales, transfers, or mergers of inspection facility operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative to connect students, workers, and job seekers with training in high-demand fields like healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and renewable energy. The New Jersey Community College Consortium will operate the initiative, creating Centers of Workforce Innovation that develop publicly available training programs and skills for specific careers. These centers must promote financial aid access, expand apprenticeships, and partner with employers, schools, and colleges to build a skilled workforce. The program aims to directly support job seekers entering growing industries while helping employers meet labor needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a water safety fact sheet for schools. The fact sheet must cover reducing drowning risks, the importance of swim lessons, proper flotation device use, and monitoring water conditions. Public school districts must annually distribute this fact sheet to parents, while nonpublic schools are encouraged but not required to do so. Additionally, school districts must maintain and update an online list of local swim lesson locations, including free or low-cost options. The bill directly affects public schools, parents, and guardians by providing standardized water safety information and resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create and maintain a free, public online registry of tutors and organizations offering free supplemental tutoring to students. It allows certified teachers, retired teachers, college students, industry professionals, and relevant organizations to register, providing details like contact information and subject expertise. All registrants must undergo criminal background checks (except certified teachers with prior checks), and the registry explicitly states it does not endorse or verify the quality of services offered. The registry will be accessible to all New Jersey residents via the DOE website.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates group disability insurance for disabled members of New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It provides monthly income benefits equal to 60% of a member's base salary (minimum $50) while they are totally disabled, payable until age 70 if disability began before age 60. Members must have completed one year of continuous service to qualify, and coverage excludes pregnancy, war injuries, self-harm, imprisonment, or time outside the U.S. Canada. The State Treasurer purchases the insurance through a special fund, with premiums paid from employer contributions.