Asm. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2815) establishes a program where groups of nonpublic schools (consortia) take over transportation responsibilities for students who are legally required to receive school bus service from public school districts. Under the program, participating school districts would pay consortia the current aid-in-lieu transportation rate ($1,022 per student) for mandated transportation, and the consortia would assume all transportation duties for those students. Consortia may also offer optional transportation for other students at parental cost (capped at $1,022), and must refund unused funds to districts based on actual student usage. The program requires annual audits, an oversight committee, and takes effect immediately for the 2023-2024 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all campus buildings, including lecture halls, residence halls, and restrooms. Institutions must ensure access in all women’s restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men’s restroom, offering varied options like allergy-friendly and different absorbency levels. The state appropriates $85,000 from the General Fund to reimburse institutions for costs, and schools must also provide educational materials on menstrual health and disposal. The policy applies starting the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance to develop new strategies and systemic changes to help crime victims apply for compensation. Key mechanisms include sending staff to hospitals for immediate assistance and creating a 24-hour hotline/email for emergency support requests. It expands where victims' compensation information must be posted, adding county courthouses, municipal courts, and all hospital emergency departments (including satellite emergency departments). The policy directly affects crime victims statewide by making it easier to access financial aid and support services after an incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses with New Jersey alcoholic beverage licenses (Classes A through E) to carry specific liability insurance covering alcohol-related incidents. It applies directly to bars, restaurants, and other licensed establishments serving alcohol. The key provision mandates either dedicated alcoholic beverage liability insurance or a commercial general liability policy that explicitly covers alcohol liability. This replaces any existing requirement that might have allowed broader policies without specific alcohol coverage. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) agencies to remain open during public health emergencies and ensures the state funds one HPP agency in each populous county (defined as a county with 350,000 or more residents per the latest federal census). The Department of Community Affairs must provide ongoing funding for these agencies, and if federal pandemic-related funds become unavailable, the agency may request state funding from the General Fund. This applies specifically to counties meeting the population threshold, guaranteeing continuous homelessness prevention services during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to improve sickle cell disease care in New Jersey, appropriating $10.2 million from the General Fund. The Department of Health will competitively select federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), prioritizing those in Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, Trenton, Camden, and other high-need areas, to develop comprehensive treatment programs. The program requires participating centers to provide coordinated care (including telehealth where permitted), build specialized medical workforce capacity, conduct outreach, promote awareness, and collect state-wide data on sickle cell disease incidence and healthcare use. Funds must be used for these purposes during the three-year pilot, with unspent funds reverting to the General Fund after expiration.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A885) requires New Jersey's State Chief Diversity Officer to study whether disabled veteran-owned businesses are being adequately utilized in state procurement contracts. The study must determine if disparities exist between the availability of these businesses and their actual use by state agencies. Within 12 months of enactment, the officer must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, with potential follow-up reports tracking implementation of prior recommendations. The bill directly affects disabled veteran-owned businesses and state agencies managing procurement contracts.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A974) provides tax credits to businesses for certain child care expenses. Businesses can claim a 50% credit against corporation business tax or gross income tax for costs related to building, improving, or operating child care centers primarily serving employees' children, or for providing child care information and referral services (10% credit). To qualify, facilities must be licensed by the Department of Children and Families and open to employees' children without discriminatory selection processes. Businesses must enter into an agreement with the Division of Taxation to verify eligibility and commit to using the facility as a child care center for 60 consecutive months. The bill also allows businesses to sell tax credit transfer certificates (at minimum 75% of value) to other businesses with tax liabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts receiving preschool education funding to place at least half of preschool students in licensed child care programs, rather than in district-run programs or Head Start. It directly affects school districts that receive state preschool aid under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. Districts may request a waiver from the Department of Education if licensed child care spots are unavailable locally, but must provide justification for the request. The requirement takes effect in the first full school year after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create financial incentives within 90 days to encourage private investment in child care facilities located in "child care deserts" - areas where demand for quality care exceeds supply. It directs DHS to develop incentives like tax credits, exemptions, loan guarantees, and workforce support, working with agencies including Economic Development and Taxation. The policy directly affects private child care providers in underserved communities and aims to expand access for low-to-moderate income families using the existing subsidy program. The bill mandates DHS to seek federal waivers to maintain funding for subsidized care while implementing these incentives.