Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded program to improve access to menstrual hygiene products (like tampons and sanitary napkins) for low-income residents in New Jersey. The Department of Agriculture will administer the program, awarding annual grants of up to $10,000 to participating food pantries to purchase these products, with $200,000 appropriated from the state General Fund. The department must list participating pantries and their hours online, coordinate with pharmacies for efficient product distribution, and develop educational materials about menstrual hygiene. The program requires implementation within six months of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3349) amends New Jersey law to explicitly include "emergency, transitional, and permanent housing" as a funded service for domestic violence victims through the existing "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund." The Fund, managed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, is financed by civil penalties ($50-$500) from domestic violence convictions and other designated moneys. It directly affects victims of domestic violence by ensuring these housing needs are covered alongside existing services like shelter, food, utilities, and legal assistance. The change clarifies that housing must be funded from this dedicated account, not other general funds.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3871 requires public and nonpublic schools with lunch programs to gradually expand free lunch eligibility over five years, ultimately providing free meals to all students regardless of income or federal eligibility. It uses existing federal reimbursement mechanisms like the Community Eligibility Provision to allow schools to serve universal free meals without individual income applications. The bill directly affects all participating schools in the state’s National School Lunch Program, eliminating income verification for students. This policy change shifts school meal funding toward universal provision, building on federal program structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed fire alarm, burglar alarm, and locksmith professionals in New Jersey to complete 10 continuing education credits every three years. Licensees must earn at least two credits on accessibility regulations (including the Americans with Disabilities Act and New Jersey construction codes) and one credit on OSHA safety standards and state licensing laws. Additional credits are required based on the number of licenses held (e.g., 14 credits per license for multiple licenses), with specific requirements for burglar alarm licensees regarding smoke detection systems. Credits can be earned through approved courses, teaching committee-approved programs, or authoring materials meeting length requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1365) would allow New Jersey courts to order electronic monitoring (using GPS technology) for domestic violence offenders deemed at serious risk of reoffending. It directly affects convicted domestic violence offenders who pose a high risk, requiring courts to consider factors like offense severity before imposing this monitoring. The law adds this as an additional court-ordered requirement, alongside existing provisions such as firearm surrender, counseling, and restrictions on contact with victims or pets. The bill does not mandate monitoring but gives courts discretion to use it as part of sentencing for eligible cases. It is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Rutgers' Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy to study how local governments in New Jersey can deliver services more efficiently. The study will examine seven specific service areas - including municipal courts, fire code enforcement, property tax assessments, public works, and emergency services - to identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining service quality. The school must complete a report with recommendations for the Governor and Legislature within one year, using $30,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund. The goal is to inform potential policy changes that could reduce New Jersey's high property tax burden, which the Legislature identifies as a priority. This study directly affects all local government units (municipalities, counties, and special districts) responsible for delivering these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a restriction that previously required local governments (counties, municipalities, and other local units) to provide broadband services only through "wireless community networks." It allows local units to choose any method - wireless, wired, or other infrastructure - to build, operate, or contract for broadband telecommunications service. The change gives local governments greater flexibility in how they deliver high-speed internet access to residents and businesses within their jurisdictions. This is a direct policy change affecting all New Jersey local governments seeking to expand broadband infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the statewide high school graduation proficiency test requirement for all New Jersey students. It directly affects every high school student in the state by removing a mandated test as a condition for earning a diploma. The key mechanism deletes references to the "Statewide proficiency test" from existing graduation statutes (including sections of P.L.1979, c.241), shifting responsibility to local school districts to set their own graduation standards. This change means students will no longer need to pass a state-administered test to graduate, though local districts must still establish and monitor proficiency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3352) requires courts to provide counseling services for children in domestic violence cases and establishes that custody must generally be awarded to the domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. It mandates courts to advise victims and children about counseling services, allows emergency protective orders including firearm restrictions, and ensures temporary orders can be issued quickly without the victim's physical presence. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and courts handling family cases, focusing on immediate safety and long-term support. It amends existing law to prioritize victim safety and child welfare in custody determinations.