Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill limits retirement payments for unused sick leave to $15,000 and prohibits payment for sick leave earned after the bill's effective date. It requires public employees to provide medical documentation for six or more consecutive days of sick leave, with penalties including unpaid leave and potential termination for violations. The bill also suspends retirement payments if an employee is indicted for certain crimes and forfeits payments upon conviction for those crimes. These provisions apply to state, local government, and school board employees in New Jersey. The bill will take effect two months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes two key mechanisms to address youth disconnection (young adults aged 16-24 not in school or employment): 1) A Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson, appointed by the Governor and reporting to the Education Commissioner, to develop statewide strategies for preventing disconnection and reconnecting affected youth. 2) A 25-member School Disconnection Prevention Task Force, including school leaders, youth advocates, and agency representatives, to analyze causes of disconnection, research solutions, and recommend best practices to school districts. The Ombudsperson must annually report progress to the Governor and Legislature, while the Task Force must issue a final report within nine months of forming, with follow-up accountability for implementation. This directly affects over 100,000 disconnected youth identified in New Jersey, focusing on systemic prevention and reconnection through cross-agency collaboration.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits registered sex offenders (under New Jersey's Megan's Law) from living within 1,000 feet of their victim's home or workplace. It makes violations a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Exceptions include offenders residing in correctional facilities, receiving mental health treatment, or owning property before the law's effective date. The bill directly affects individuals required to register as sex offenders under existing law who have victimized someone in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies and entities to provide child care services for full-time employees who need them. Child care can be offered in state-owned facilities (if licensed as a child care center) or at licensed external centers, including school-age programs and family day care homes approved by the Department of Children and Families. The Secretary of State must work with the Commissioner of Children and Families to create implementation rules, and the law takes effect immediately. It applies to full-time employees in the Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, and Legislature staff, regardless of whether they receive state compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an educational program about state and federal human trafficking crimes, aimed at informing the public. It allocates $75,000 from the state general fund specifically to fund this program. The program will provide information on existing laws related to human trafficking offenses under both state and federal statutes. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a matching grant program in New Jersey's Department of Education to help school districts address pandemic-related learning loss through high-impact tutoring. School districts applying for grants must submit detailed plans meeting specific requirements, including small group tutoring (four or fewer students), same tutor throughout the year, three sessions weekly during school hours, use of trained tutors with aligned curricula, and data-driven progress monitoring. Districts receiving grants must contribute 25% of the funding amount, and the program may use federal American Rescue Plan funds to supplement state resources. The Department of Education will report on the program's effectiveness within three years, including metrics on student outcomes and recommendations for continuation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Domestic Violence Act to explicitly include adoptive parents as victims when they experience abuse from someone whose parental rights to their adopted child have been terminated. It expands the current definition of "victim of domestic violence" to cover these adoptive parents, ensuring they qualify for the same legal protections as biological parents. Key provisions now allow adoptive parents to seek restraining orders, firearm prohibitions, and compensation through the existing domestic violence legal framework. The change does not alter the list of abusive acts covered but broadens who can access these statutory remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to replace the traditional wheelchair symbol on accessibility signs with a new logo showing a dynamic, forward-leaning figure representing movement and action. It also mandates replacing the word "handicapped" with "accessible" on all public signage, placards, license plates, and markers indicating disability-accessible features like restrooms, ramps, and parking. The changes apply only to new installations or replacements made after the law takes effect (60 days post-enactment), not requiring immediate updates to existing signage. The bill aims to modernize accessibility symbols to emphasize mobility and person-centered design, aligning with similar laws in New York and Connecticut.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants civil immunity to New Jersey residents who report terrorism-related crimes to law enforcement in good faith. It protects individuals from lawsuits when reporting specific terrorism offenses, including acts like terrorism, chemical/biological weapon possession, or terroristic threats as defined in state law. The immunity applies unless the reporter acted with bad faith or malicious intent. The goal is to encourage public reporting of potential threats without fear of civil liability, following the September 11 attacks.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2871) increases the annual property tax deduction for senior citizens (65+), persons with disabilities, and veterans in New Jersey from $250 to $500. It directly affects eligible homeowners in these categories by reducing their taxable property tax burden by an additional $250 per year. The change would take effect starting in 2024, but the bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before implementation. The deduction amount remains capped at the actual tax bill amount if it falls below $500.