Asm. Yvonne Lopez

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 (A4374) makes two specific violations of New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act criminal offenses. It targets employers who knowingly falsify payroll records for public construction projects or submit false information on contractor registration forms. Currently, these violations result in fines up to $25,000 and disqualification from public work; the bill upgrades them to a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines, 18 months in jail, or both. The law applies directly to employers working on state or local public construction projects requiring prevailing wage compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Real Estate Appraiser Board to adopt the Appraisal Qualifications Board's "Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal" (PAREA) program as an alternative way for prospective appraisers to gain required experience. Currently, applicants must find a licensed appraiser to supervise their on-the-job training, which is often difficult with no formal support system. Under the bill, the PAREA program would allow applicants to fulfill all experience requirements through virtual simulations of real-world appraisal work, guided by mentors. This change directly affects individuals seeking real estate appraiser licenses or certifications in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits residential rental application fees to the actual cost of a credit check or related service, with a maximum cap of $30. Landlords cannot charge tenants more than this amount for application fees, even if the credit check costs more than $30. Violating this rule results in a $250 penalty per violation, enforceable by the state or through a tenant lawsuit seeking the penalty plus attorney fees. The law directly affects landlords and tenants in New Jersey rental housing by restricting excessive fees and providing enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "New Jersey First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act," protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and 9-1-1 dispatchers) diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a qualifying PTSD diagnosis, which must be linked to a traumatic event experienced during their duties or vicarious trauma from their job. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior position after leave, and violations allow employees to sue for remedies including $5,000 fines for first violations, reinstatement, back pay, and attorney fees. The civil action must be filed within one year of the alleged violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to allow multiple application methods for housing, shelter, and rental assistance programs - including Section 8 housing assistance and the State rental assistance program - instead of limiting applicants to online options alone. It mandates that applicants must be able to apply via regular mail, email, in-person delivery, or fax, where permitted by federal law. The policy directly affects individuals seeking state-administered housing aid, particularly those without reliable internet access. The bill aims to improve accessibility for vulnerable populations by expanding how they can submit applications. It takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies eligibility rules for New Jersey's State small business set-aside program, which helps direct state government contracts to small businesses. It specifies that employee count requirements apply only to businesses without a federal revenue standard (13 CFR §121.201), and changes how gross revenue is calculated: businesses must now use a 5-year average (instead of 3 years) of revenue history for eligibility. This directly affects businesses seeking state contracts under the program, requiring updated revenue reporting. The changes update the existing Set-Aside Act (P.L.1983, c.482) and supersede certain existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Police to create a maternity leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of fully paid recovery leave after childbirth, with benefits maintained and the leave not counted against sick leave balances. The policy must also prohibit residency restrictions or integrity checks during this leave period, which are typically applied to other medical leave. The State Police Superintendent must post clear details, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information, on the department's intranet. This directly affects current and future female troopers who become pregnant while serving.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits rental property owners and property management software companies from coordinating to restrict competition on rent prices. It bans using software that collects and analyzes rental data (like prices and lease terms) from multiple landlords to recommend or fix rents, which the bill identifies as a cause of rising rents in New Jersey. The law makes it illegal for owners to subscribe to such "coordinating" services, for software companies to facilitate price-fixing agreements, or for landlords to engage in "consciously parallel pricing coordination." Violations will be enforced under New Jersey's existing Antitrust Act, with new public education efforts to inform renters about reporting suspected violations.