Asm. Roy Freiman

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1.5 million grant program for New Jersey's four-year public colleges to develop or expand wine and grape science programs (covering grape growing, winemaking, and business operations). Three public colleges - selected to represent each of the state's regions - will receive up to $500,000 each to establish these programs, requiring applications detailing student support plans and industry partnerships. Under the bill, colleges may enroll students under 21 in these programs but cannot allow them to participate in alcohol-related coursework or events. The program requires a final report to the governor and legislature on implementation and outcomes before concluding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4356, "Zero-Based Budget Act") requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to develop a zero-based budgeting process for the Governor's annual budget. It mandates that all state spending agencies (including departments, boards, and commissions) justify every funding request from scratch each year - detailing goals, cost breakdowns at current and minimum service levels, stakeholder impacts, and program prioritization - rather than basing requests on prior year spending. The process, to be implemented for fiscal years starting July 2020, aims to ensure every dollar allocated is evaluated for efficiency and necessity. This directly affects all state agencies submitting budget requests under existing law (P.L.1944, c.112).

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's alcohol licensing rules to allow instructional wine making facilities (which operate under restricted brewery licenses) to sell wine for on-premises consumption at certain events and donate wine to non-profits or charitable organizations. Currently, these facilities can only offer samples at events, but this change would permit actual sales during approved events and formal wine donations. The key provision expands their existing limited sales rights under Section 1c of the licensing law, specifically adding "sell for on-premises consumption" and "donate wine" to their permitted activities. It directly affects instructional wine making facilities operating under restricted brewery licenses, which are typically linked to restaurants. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's alcohol licensing rules to allow breweries with a limited brewery license to operate up to 15 off-premises retail salesrooms for selling beer directly to consumers, each requiring a $250 fee. It also permits breweries and wineries (such as those with plenary retail winery licenses) to share a single salesroom on the same premises. The change directly affects small and mid-sized breweries holding a limited brewery license, expanding their ability to sell products beyond their main brewery location. These provisions update the state's beverage licensing framework to provide more flexible direct-to-consumer sales options for local producers.

Maddy summaryThe bill would broaden veterans' benefits eligibility by removing specific war or conflict service requirements. Instead of needing to have served during designated wars (like World War II or Vietnam), veterans would only need at least 90 days of active duty service (excluding basic training), or Reserve members would need to serve the full period called to active duty. Veterans discharged due to service-connected disabilities would qualify regardless of service duration. This change would expand access to benefits including civil service hiring preference, retirement allowances, and the ability to purchase military service credit for retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in grades 10-12 who participate in school-sponsored sports to replace their physical education class with a study hall during their sport's athletic season. Students must get written parental approval and have their coach confirm their participation, and their athletic involvement will count toward their graduation physical education credit requirement. The bill does not affect students not in sports, younger grades, or the existing requirement for health and safety education courses. It applies starting the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State Treasurer to sell surplus property located at 1600 Brooks Boulevard (4.30 acres, former Hillsborough Social Services Office) in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County. The property must be sold to the Manville Borough Board of Education for $870,000, or to the highest bidder via internet auction with that as the minimum price if the Board declines. It directly affects the State (as owner), the Manville Board of Education (as potential buyer), and local taxpayers (through the sale process). The bill is procedural, requiring no new policy changes beyond this specific property transaction, and took effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summaryAJR 59 designates November each year as "Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public education about the link between diabetes (affecting over 29 million Americans) and cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes). It aims to improve public understanding of this connection, particularly for communities disproportionately impacted like African American and Hispanic/Latino populations in New Jersey. This is a symbolic resolution with no new funding or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies, hospitals, and healthcare providers in New Jersey to stop sharing an individual's identifying information (like address or phone number) with a policyholder or other person covered under the same health plan if that individual has a valid court protection order against them. It also lets individuals request alternative contact methods for billing information if sharing their details could endanger them. Healthcare providers must then use only the designated contact method for all claim-related communications. The law applies to all health insurance carriers and providers, including those serving minors (with parents/guardians acting on their behalf).

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4135 (A4135) requires all counties to establish crisis intervention services programs for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and sheriff's officers. The bill mandates counties provide up to 12 counseling sessions (with possible additional sessions within one year) for first responders affected by critical incidents like witnessing trauma, dangerous child crime investigations, or life-threatening rescues. Employers cannot require use of paid leave for counseling attendance, and if deemed unfit for duty during counseling, employees receive full pay/benefits for up to 30 days per incident. Counties must report program data annually to the state, and the state will reimburse counties for program costs. The law expands eligibility to include volunteer firefighters, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and state-employed officers residing in or working within the county.