Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summarySJR 71 designates the first full week of May each year as "Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week" in New Jersey to honor veterans who sustained physical or mental injuries while serving. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public awareness and support for wounded veterans adjusting to civilian life. It does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes the challenges faced by veterans, including those with combat-related stress, depression, or traumatic brain injuries. This ceremonial designation applies statewide and became law in December 2024.

Maddy summarySJR 103 is a symbolic resolution declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" to honor veterans and active-duty service members from New Jersey who have received the Purple Heart Medal. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded by the President to those wounded or killed in combat, and this resolution recognizes their sacrifices without creating new benefits or programs. It builds on New Jersey's existing connections to the national "Purple Heart Trail" (a network of roads and monuments honoring recipients), which includes locations in the state and stems from a 1992 convention held in Cherry Hill. The resolution takes effect immediately and serves as a formal state acknowledgment of these veterans' service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a public online portal displaying how state school funding is calculated for all districts. The portal will show the data inputs (like enrollment and property values), allow users to estimate how changes would affect funding, and explain key formulas in plain language. It will include searchable district data for the past three years, showing total aid received, categorical aid types, and funding methodology details for special education, transportation, and other categories. The portal will also link to relevant laws, district budgets, and the state's annual Educational Adequacy Report.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Read Act establishes requirements for library materials in New Jersey public school libraries and public libraries, requiring school boards and library governing bodies to adopt policies that ensure access to diverse and inclusive materials. The bill defines "diverse and inclusive material" as content reflecting protected classes under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination, materials produced by authors regardless of their protected class status, and materials containing authors' views on contemporary issues, while excluding age-inappropriate content. It creates procedures for challenging library materials, including review committees and requiring that challenged materials remain available until a final decision is made. The bill also provides legal protections for school library media specialists and librarians, granting them immunity from liability for good-faith actions and a civil cause of action against those who harass them for complying with the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification process for nonprofits that facilitate affordable housing where future occupants contribute labor (sweat equity) in exchange for housing. Certified nonprofits must demonstrate experience with sweat equity housing, maintain affordability controls for low- and moderate-income households, and promote diverse participation. Projects using sweat equity through certified nonprofits are exempt from certain adaptability requirements and marketing obligations that normally apply to affordable housing. The bill also directs state agencies to provide expedited assistance to these nonprofits and municipalities to help meet affordable housing obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retailers from selling over-the-counter diet pills (for weight loss) or muscle-building dietary supplements to anyone under 18 without a parent or guardian present. It specifically excludes basic protein powders, drinks, and protein-fortified foods unless they contain additional muscle-building ingredients. Retailers violating this law face civil fines up to $750 per violation, collected by local health agencies or courts. The law does not apply to products prescribed by licensed healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow restaurants and licensed alcoholic beverage retailers (including bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries) to operate in designated outdoor spaces adjacent to their business premises, including on public sidewalks. It creates a "premises expansion permit" process requiring applications to either the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (for licensed businesses) or municipal zoning officers (for restaurants without alcohol licenses), with requirements for security plans and property descriptions. Municipalities may regulate hours of operation but must allow outdoor service outside specific hours (10pm-11am on Sundays-Wednesdays, and 12am-11am on Thurs-Sat), and cannot prohibit outdoor service for businesses already operating under legal or disciplinary restrictions. The bill specifies that State-owned rights-of-way require separate approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, with setback requirements for roads intersecting state highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, making it a second-degree crime when bodily injury occurs (previously a third-degree crime). It expands protection to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel who are assaulted while performing their duties. The bill requires offenders to provide a blood or biological sample for testing for communicable diseases, with any positive results shared with the victim. It also prohibits plea bargains for assault on law enforcement officers and prevents convictions from merging with other offenses. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to State workers in Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who provided essential frontline service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by State agencies in consultation with the union president, with each eligible employee receiving a direct bonus payment. It specifically targets workers who maintained critical state operations amid pandemic challenges. The appropriation is supplemental to existing 2024-2025 funding and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Stay NJ property tax credit program, providing eligible senior citizens (65+ years old) with a property tax credit equal to 50% of their property tax bill, up to a maximum of $6,500 for tax year 2026 (with annual adjustments based on property tax increases). The program targets New Jersey residents with annual income under $500,000 who own or rent their principal residence as a homestead. Eligible claimants will receive the greater of the Stay NJ credit or the combined ANCHOR rebate and homestead property tax reimbursement, with a single application process to replace current multiple programs. The credit will be implemented starting in 2026, with applications accepted February 1 through October 31 each year.