Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey to pay for high school equivalency exams (such as GED, Hi-SET, or TASC) for low-income individuals, defined as those living in households with income at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. The State Board of Education must establish a program within six months to verify income and cover the cost of one exam per person. Funding would come from a specific allocation within the existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund, which is already designated for workforce training and education programs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4474) requires Pretrial Services to recommend pretrial detention for certain repeat offenders. It mandates this recommendation when a defendant has two or more prior arrests with pending charges, and their current charge is a serious criminal offense or domestic violence involving a minor. The bill specifies that Pretrial Services must advise against release if the defendant faces a new charge for a crime that carries a mandatory prison term or involves domestic violence against a minor. This change directly affects defendants meeting these criteria during pretrial hearings, making the "no release" recommendation a strong factor for courts to consider.

Maddy summaryAJR 179 establishes a seven-member "Commission on Apprenticeship Program Promotion" in New Jersey to study how to effectively promote apprenticeship programs to high school students. The commission, appointed by key state officials including labor and education leaders, will examine ways to demonstrate the value of apprenticeships - combining classroom learning with on-the-job training - and the economic opportunities they provide upon completion. The commission must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its organization, after which it will dissolve 30 days later. This resolution does not create new programs but focuses on research and recommendations to improve student awareness of existing apprenticeship opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4438) revises New Jersey's rules for granting licenses to out-of-state elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanics without requiring an exam. It directly affects mechanics licensed in other states who seek to work in New Jersey. The key change removes the current requirement that the applicant's home state must provide "equal reciprocity" (i.e., grant licenses to New Jersey mechanics). Instead, New Jersey's licensing board can now grant licenses based solely on whether the applicant's home state has standards "equal to or comparable" to New Jersey's, regardless of whether that state reciprocates for New Jersey licensees. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryS 2082 creates a 12-member New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to examine the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system established under the 2012 TEACHNJ Act. The task force will specifically study the use of student growth objectives in evaluations, assess administrative burdens on educators, review current research on effective evaluation practices, and recommend potential updates to the law. It will hold public hearings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. This bill does not change evaluation rules directly but sets up a process to review them; the current system affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey. The task force includes representatives from teachers' unions, school administrators, and education associations.

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages New Jersey public school teachers to obtain current certification in emergency first aid, CPR, and AED use. It requires school districts to promote certification, provide recognition through a certificate of commendation and online public listing, and ensure the Department of Education offers training opportunities in both in-person and online formats. Teachers who earn certification may apply for eight hours toward their annual professional development requirement. The bill aims to enhance immediate response to medical emergencies in schools by increasing the number of trained staff, without mandating certification for teachers.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a property tax exemption for the primary home of a surviving spouse whose first responder spouse (law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first aid/ambulance/rescue personnel) died in the line of duty. The exemption applies only if the home was the deceased first responder's primary residence at the time of death and continues as long as the surviving spouse lives there and does not remarry. The state would reimburse local governments annually for lost tax revenue from properties receiving this exemption. This change would affect surviving spouses of eligible first responders, covering both paid and volunteer personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $5 million grant program to expand dual enrollment opportunities in career and technical education (CTE) for high school students in New Jersey. Public institutions of higher education (like community colleges and universities) can apply for grants to develop or grow college-level CTE courses offered on campus or in high schools, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. Applications must detail program plans, existing offerings, capacity for CTE coursework, and expected student participation, with grants awarded competitively - prioritizing programs designed to continue after funding ends. The program requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on student participation, funding use, and impact on workforce shortages.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county Sexual Assault Response Teams to include specific training on interacting with victims who have developmental disabilities as part of their standard education program. The teams, composed of forensic sexual assault nurse examiners, rape care advocates, and law enforcement officials, must now receive this training under existing law. The amendment adds "interacting with victims who have developmental disabilities" as a required topic in the standardized training curriculum developed by county program coordinators. This change ensures team members receive targeted instruction to better support victims with developmental disabilities during sexual assault investigations and medical examinations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year Skilled Trades Career Exploration Pilot Program for high school students in New Jersey, funded by a $5 million appropriation from the General Fund. It directs the Commissioner of Education to award grants to school districts (five per geographic region, representing urban, suburban, and rural areas) to develop or expand career and technical education programs. Grants support three key uses: creating new vocational programs, upgrading equipment/facilities, and providing instructor training. Participating districts must submit annual reports on program impact, with the Commissioner required to report annually to the Governor and Legislature. The program directly affects high school students seeking skilled trades pathways and the school districts receiving grant funding.