Asm. Roy Freiman

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program where New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) awards grants to small businesses that closed for one month or more due to state or public infrastructure projects. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned with fewer than 10 employees, under $1.5 million in annual revenue, and prove economic loss from the closure. The EDA will determine grant amounts based on operating expenses during the closure, and the entity conducting the infrastructure project must contribute 0-5% of the project’s total cost to fund these grants. The EDA will manage applications, disburse funds, and establish reporting requirements for recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes pension benefits for New Jersey teachers by moving all current non-retired members of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) into a single benefit tier (previously called "Tier 1"), granting them the same retirement benefits as members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll teachers earning above minimum salary but not meeting work-hour requirements into TAPF within 60 days of enactment. Teachers in the separate Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer their service credit to TAPF for retirement eligibility (but not pension amount calculations), with contributions staying in DCRP; they may opt out within six months of notification. The bill also allows TAPF members with long-term disability insurance to apply for disability retirement within two years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's tax code to exclude certain retirement savings contributions from taxable gross income. It directly affects New Jersey residents who contribute to qualifying retirement plans, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, by reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. The key provision amends the definition of "gross income" to specify that contributions to these plans are not counted toward taxable earnings. As a result, taxpayers would pay less state income tax on the amounts they save for retirement through these qualified plans. The bill is currently in the introduction stage (2026-01-13) and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 2592 requires most residential landlords to give tenants written notice within five business days if nearby construction (like neighbor property work) or their own maintenance might cause property damage or hazards. This applies to landlords renting properties with more than two units or seasonal rentals, excluding small owner-occupied homes (up to three units) and hotels. Notices must be delivered by mail, posted prominently, or electronically before work begins. Landlords who fail to provide notice face fines up to $200 per violation, enforceable through local courts.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Bill A-1329 establishes the "New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative" to connect students, workers, and job seekers with training for high-demand careers. It creates Centers of Workforce Innovation at community colleges focused on 11 key fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and manufacturing. These centers will develop public curricula, provide job-specific skills training, promote financial aid (including Community College Opportunity Grants), and expand apprenticeships. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.374.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mobile service providers and app developers from sharing customers' GPS location data with third parties without explicit consent. To obtain consent, app developers must provide a clear, bold notice requiring users to actively agree ("I agree to allow my location data to be disclosed"). Exceptions apply for legal requirements like law enforcement requests, and third parties accessing the data cannot sell it or share it beyond the purpose of the consent. Violations would violate New Jersey's consumer fraud law, potentially resulting in fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill is pending in the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryBill A 3096 requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to provide public notice and hold hearings before making significant service changes or fare increases. Specifically, NJT must hold at least two public hearings (one during work hours, one evening) for rail service curtailments or abandonments, and one hearing for bus service changes, with notices sent 15 days in advance to affected counties and municipalities. For fare increases on bus or rail routes, NJT must hold 10 geographically distributed public hearings (with specific time requirements), including five during typical work hours. This bill directly affects NJT and transit riders by mandating transparency before service reductions or fare hikes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all major New Jersey state departments (principal departments in the Executive Branch) to publish monthly performance reports on their websites. Each department must track five specific metrics (determined by the department head) and include trend analysis and benchmarking data. Departments must also submit annual summaries of these monthly reports to the Governor, State Comptroller, and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals aged 18 or older, emancipated minors, or their authorized representatives to create a voluntary nonopioid directive, stating opioids should not be administered or prescribed for them. The directive must be completed using a form developed by the New Jersey Department of Health and entered into the patient's electronic health record. Healthcare providers are protected from disciplinary action or liability if they comply with the directive in good faith, though opioids may still be prescribed if medically necessary. The bill also requires the Department of Health to publicize the program and allows the directive to be revoked anytime.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow temporary state employees at psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities to qualify for accidental disability benefits. It specifically covers injuries sustained after January 2003 while working temporarily at these facilities (before becoming a PERS member), making such injuries eligible for PERS benefits once the employee gains membership. The key change deems these pre-membership injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee joins PERS without interruption in the same job. This expands eligibility beyond current rules, which only provided workers' compensation for such injuries before PERS membership.