Asm. Claire Swift

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state employees whose jobs involve face-to-face public interaction to work in person during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. It mandates state agencies to create detailed reopening plans within 15 business days of enactment, covering safety measures like PPE, cleaning protocols, social distancing, and accommodations for high-risk employees. If an agency must temporarily close, it must provide public alternatives such as video platforms or mobile units. The requirements expire when the Governor ends the public health emergency, with agencies required to report compliance to the Governor and Legislature within 60 business days.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Elementary Home Reading Grant Program to improve reading proficiency among New Jersey's elementary students. It appropriates $500,000 from unexpended federal pandemic funds to provide matching grants to school districts partnering with nonprofits to deliver home reading programs. The program requires participating districts to mail weekly reading books to students' homes, include multilingual parent communication, provide students with 6-9 books to keep, and track progress through data collection. School districts must apply competitively, with preference given to programs serving economically disadvantaged students and those designed for long-term sustainability.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a presumption of pretrial detention for individuals charged with reckless vehicular homicide (when driving under the influence) or strict liability vehicular homicide (driving while intoxicated). It directly affects defendants convicted of these specific vehicular homicide offenses, requiring courts to detain them pretrial unless they can prove by a preponderance of evidence that release conditions would reasonably assure their appearance in court and community safety. The bill amends New Jersey law to extend the existing pretrial detention presumption, which currently applies to murder and life imprisonment offenses, to these vehicular homicide cases. It also includes provisions for vehicle forfeiture (unless hardship is proven) and allows courts to suspend or revoke drivers' licenses in these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2958) would require New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to request federal authorization allowing SNAP (food stamp) benefits to cover delivery fees for online grocery orders. Currently, SNAP funds cannot pay for delivery charges, even though New Jersey participates in a USDA pilot program enabling online grocery purchases through retailers like Amazon and 17 participating stores. The bill directly affects SNAP recipients who use online grocery delivery services, as it seeks to expand their benefit usage to include delivery fees. The request would be made to the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, which administers the federal SNAP program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a refundable New Jersey Child Tax Credit for low-income households with children. It provides $582 per younger child (under age 6) and $187 per older child (ages 6-24) for families earning up to 100% of the federal poverty level, with the credit gradually decreasing as income rises to 250% of the federal poverty level. The credit is refundable - meaning households may receive a cash payment even if they owe no tax - and applies to taxpayers using either a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Eligibility requires filing a joint tax return (or as head of household/widow), and the credit does not affect eligibility for other state benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates county-level "ATV Law Enforcement Task Forces" in all 21 New Jersey counties to coordinate efforts against illegal ATV use. Each task force, led by the county prosecutor, must study ATV laws, develop mutual aid plans for coordinated enforcement (including ATV seizure authority), and submit findings to the Attorney General within six months. The $1 million appropriation funds these task forces and their mutual aid plans, which must align with existing law allowing municipalities to declare illegally operated ATVs as forfeitable property. The plan requires law enforcement agencies to implement these coordinated strategies, with the Attorney General reporting recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within three months of receiving the task forces' findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's parking law to allow disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients to use designated disability parking spaces by displaying their valid disabled veteran or Purple Heart license plate or placard. It directly affects veterans and Purple Heart recipients who hold these specific plates issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The key provision removes the requirement for these individuals to obtain a separate disability identification card or additional special plates to park in disability zones. The change takes immediate effect and ensures they can access these parking spaces using only their existing veteran or Purple Heart credentials.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement officers to temporarily detain underage individuals (under 18) who unlawfully purchase or possess alcohol or cannabis, and notify their parents or guardians. For first-time violations, officers must provide a written warning to the minor and notify parents; for second violations, officers must provide a written warning and notify parents; for third or subsequent violations, officers must notify parents and provide referrals to community services. The bill prohibits arrest for these violations (except for other violations), requires officers to seize alcohol or cannabis items for destruction or training use, and mandates confidential record keeping with destruction after two years or upon the minor's 21st birthday, whichever comes first. It aims to address underage alcohol and cannabis use through a graduated response system focused on parental involvement and community resources rather than punitive measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to explicitly authorize Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security at four-year public and private colleges. Currently, these officers (retired police officers with specific training) are allowed to work at schools and county colleges, but the law was unclear about whether private colleges were included. The amendment updates the statute to remove ambiguity by specifying that private colleges are covered under the authorization. It does not change the training or certification requirements for these officers, which require prior experience as a full-time police officer and specialized safety training.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits county sheriffs in New Jersey to appoint Class Three special law enforcement officers, who are authorized to perform police duties similar to full-time officers. Currently, only municipalities or counties with established police forces could make such appointments for school security. The bill expands this authority to county sheriffs, allowing them to deploy these officers to provide security at public or nonpublic schools and county colleges during normal operating hours. It directly affects sheriffs' hiring powers and school safety staffing options, without changing the officers' duties or security requirements.