Asm. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to track and publicly report natural disaster-related spending by state and local governments, including counties, municipalities, school districts, fire districts, and local authorities. DCA must categorize spending into four clear types: preparedness (planning and training), mitigation (reducing disaster risks), response (immediate actions after a disaster), and recovery (rebuilding communities), while showing funding sources and reimbursement details. The DCA will publish an annual plain-language summary of this data on the state website, making it easily accessible to the public. Local governments and school districts must include this information in their existing annual budget summaries, which will also be made publicly available online.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create a pilot program providing pet food for cats and dogs to owners facing financial hardship. Funded by a $1 million appropriation, the program will be operated by selected non-profit organizations and volunteer groups working with the state, including establishing food banks in communities. The Department must report to the Governor and Legislature after one year on whether to make the program permanent, and includes liability protections for donors and recipients of pet food distributed in good faith.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3295 creates a tax credit for developers who build rental housing exclusively for veterans. Developers receive a 10% credit against business income taxes based on "approved costs" like construction, rehabilitation, and related expenses for properties where all units are reserved for veterans. The credit is non-refundable, capped at $5 million annually statewide, and requires a 15-year occupancy commitment by veterans. To qualify, developers must apply to the Department of Community Affairs, submit project plans, and maintain veteran occupancy for the full term.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires state and private correctional facilities to provide inmates with free telephone and video calls, meaning neither the inmate nor the person they call pays any fees. It eliminates per-minute charges, service fees, and additional surcharges for all calls, including international calls for state and private facilities. Facilities must still follow state procurement rules when contracting for these services. The policy change aims to reduce financial strain on families and support rehabilitation through consistent communication.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to remove the automatic disqualification from jury service for individuals with prior convictions of serious crimes (indictable offenses), except for convictions of murder or aggravated sexual assault. It allows people who have completed their sentences for other serious crimes to be considered for jury duty, provided they meet standard qualifications like U.S. citizenship and county residency. The bill does not affect those currently incarcerated for serious crimes, who remain disqualified. This update expands the pool of potential jurors by including more people with past criminal records, while maintaining specific exclusions for the most severe offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for in-person partial care and intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services for adults aged 21 and older. It raises provider payments by 35% for these services and sets a minimum $10 reimbursement per one-way trip for transportation to or from treatment. The changes apply to both Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care systems, affecting clinics, treatment centers, and adult Medicaid beneficiaries. These rate adjustments aim to improve access to community-based care by ensuring providers are adequately compensated.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits towing companies in New Jersey from charging owners of stolen vehicles a fee to release their vehicles from storage facilities. Owners must provide a copy of the stolen vehicle police report to the towing company and are given 72 hours to retrieve the vehicle without any fee after being notified by law enforcement. If the vehicle isn't retrieved within 72 hours, towing companies may charge a storage fee for the extra days, but this fee must be paid directly by the vehicle's insurance company or, if uninsured, by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - not the owner. The law aims to prevent financial barriers for stolen vehicle recovery while clarifying payment responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits under the Pension Adjustment Act (P.L.1958, c.143) for members of New Jersey's State-administered retirement systems. It directly affects retirees and beneficiaries of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, Judicial Retirement System, Public Employees' Retirement System, Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System. The bill reverses a 2011 provision that had eliminated these automatic annual adjustments, ensuring benefits will adjust each year to help maintain purchasing power against inflation. By reinstating COLAs, the bill prevents gradual erosion of retirement benefits' value over time. This change provides concrete financial protection for retirees as the cost of living increases.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2173 establishes a four-year "Grow Your Own Teacher Pilot Program" to address teacher shortages in high-need school districts and diversify the teaching workforce. The program creates partnerships between school districts (prioritizing high-need districts), colleges, and nonprofits, covering tuition, fees, and room/board costs for minority students from those districts who commit to teaching in their home schools for at least three years after graduation. The Department of Education will select three partnerships annually, requiring detailed applications outlining recruitment, support, and financial plans, while organizing quarterly consortium meetings for sharing best practices. Annual reports to the legislature will evaluate the program's progress and effectiveness over its four-year duration.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.