Asm. Don Guardian

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends fines for minor first-time paperwork errors by small businesses related to state agency reporting. It applies to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees (aligned with federal Small Business Act definitions), excluding violations involving taxes, public safety risks, or uncorrected errors after six months. If a violation poses a public safety danger, the agency may still impose a fine unless the business corrects it within 24 hours. Exceptions include violations causing serious harm, interfering with criminal investigations, or failing to correct errors timely.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3066) amends New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.L.2002, c.83) by updating the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying." It clarifies that bullying motivated by *any* actual or perceived characteristic - not just the specific examples listed (like race, gender, or disability) - falls under the law. The change ensures schools must address bullying based on all distinguishing traits, not just those explicitly named. This directly affects public school policies and procedures for identifying and responding to bullying incidents across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A137 bill establishes a "County Tourism Incentive Grant Fund" within the Department of the Treasury to fund tourism advertising and promotion for counties. The fund uses excess state hotel and motel occupancy fees (revenues above what was budgeted for the prior year) to provide annual grants starting in fiscal year 2022. To qualify, counties must apply by October 1, detail their advertising plans, and agree not to use grant funds to replace existing tourism budgets - repaying the full amount with interest if misused. Grant amounts are calculated based on each county's share of statewide hotel/motel occupancy fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3067) amends New Jersey's "Epinephrine Access and Emergency Treatment Act" to allow any person who possesses an epinephrine auto-injector device under a valid personal prescription (or for their minor child) to administer it to someone experiencing anaphylaxis or another serious condition treatable with epinephrine. It directly affects individuals with such prescriptions, including parents or guardians of children with allergies. The key provision expands the current law - which previously required certification - to permit immediate emergency use by prescription holders without needing prior training. The bill also adds liability protection for these individuals acting in good faith during emergencies, aligning with the existing protections for certified administrators.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $50 million in existing federal pandemic assistance funds to New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The funds will directly improve unemployment insurance (UI) claims processing capacity by financing information technology upgrades and temporary staff hiring. This addresses the backlog caused by the pandemic-driven surge in UI filings. The department must submit an implementation plan to the Legislature within 20 days of another bill's passage. The changes aim to speed up benefit payments for unemployed New Jersey residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to finance transportation projects between Atlantic City Airport and the Atlantic City Tourism District. It specifically allows the CRDA to enter into agreements with state transportation authorities to fund highway or public transportation projects that provide direct access between these two locations. The bill defines "transportation projects" as planning, construction, or improvement of infrastructure connecting the airport to the tourism district, including enhancements to airport air service. This authorization is part of the CRDA's broader mandate to support economic development within the tourism district. The bill does not change existing requirements that the CRDA devote its assets to tourism district development and community projects in Atlantic City.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time tax credit of up to $1,000 for New Jersey taxpayers who pay tuition for a state-approved nurse aide training program in long-term care facilities. To qualify, taxpayers (or their dependents) must complete the training and work as a Certified Nursing Aide for 12 consecutive months at a facility licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health. The credit is refundable, meaning any unused portion is paid back as a tax refund if it reduces tax liability to zero. It applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2019, and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A111) requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create two dedicated websites: one in English and one in Spanish, to promote enrollment in Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. The English site will list health navigators and community centers assisting with health insurance enrollment, including languages spoken at each location, while the Spanish site will mirror this content with a Spanish domain name for easier access. DHS must also launch a bilingual public awareness campaign to advertise these websites, directly benefiting Spanish-speaking residents and community organizations helping them access health coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3092) requires New Jersey adult day care centers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate participants' religious dietary needs, provided it is within the center's capacity. It applies to licensed facilities providing health and social services to functionally or cognitively impaired adults for up to 12 hours daily. The bill defines "adult day care center" to include both licensed health care facilities and community-based group programs serving similar populations. The requirement specifically covers religious dietary accommodations, not other types of accommodations. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies and local governments (like cities or counties) that use automated phone systems to provide callers with an option to speak to a human operator during business hours. Specifically, callers would be able to press "0" on their phone keypad to bypass automated menus and either speak directly with an operator or leave a recorded message. It applies to any government entity required by law to offer a public phone contact point and currently uses an automated answering service. The change aims to improve public access to government phone services without altering existing policies or services.