Asm. Nancy Muñoz

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A3402 establishes "gang assault" as a third-degree crime. It defines the offense as intentionally causing bodily injury to another person when aided by two or more others present at the time. The bill specifies that "bodily injury" includes physical pain, illness, or impairment of physical condition. A conviction carries a potential penalty of 3 to 5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. This law directly affects individuals committing assaults with multiple accomplices present.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3403) changes when nursing licenses issued by the New Jersey Board of Nursing expire. Instead of renewing on fixed dates, licenses will now expire on the nurse's birthday during the second year after issuance. If a birthday doesn't align with a specific calendar day (e.g., February 29), the license expires on the last day of that birth month. It applies only to new licenses issued after the bill takes effect (30 days post-enactment) and affects registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other nursing professionals certified by the Board. The two-year validity period remains unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3391) requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies (including police departments, sheriffs' offices, and correctional facilities), the State Parole Board, and the New Jersey Transit Police to adopt written maternity policies for officers who provide proof of pregnancy. The policies must include protections against pregnancy discrimination, equal treatment as temporarily disabled officers, procedures for light-duty assignments based on medical needs, exemption from firearms training during pregnancy, and accommodations for uniform or equipment modifications. These policies apply directly to pregnant law enforcement officers, parole officers, and corrections officers. The bill mandates compliance with state and federal laws and takes effect seven months after enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 95 establishes a five-member "New Jersey Transit Alternative Revenue Task Force" to study ways for New Jersey Transit to earn new revenue without raising fares. The task force, appointed by key state leaders (including a real estate expert by the Governor and advertising expert by the Senate President), will examine opportunities like station-area real estate development, advertising on vehicles/stations, and other services at transit hubs. It must submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of organizing, detailing findings and recommendations. The resolution expires once this report is submitted, making it a procedural measure focused on research, not immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change New Jersey's senior freeze program from a reimbursement system to a direct credit system for eligible homeowners. Currently, seniors (65+) and disabled homeowners receive property tax savings as a reimbursement the following year, but this bill would apply those savings directly as a credit to reduce their current year's property tax bills for the third and fourth quarters. Homeowners in cooperatives, mutual housing corporations, or continuing care retirement communities would receive a rebate payment instead of a credit, allowing them to receive their benefits in the current tax year rather than waiting until the following year. This change would provide immediate property tax savings to eligible seniors and disabled homeowners who qualify for the homestead property tax freeze benefit.

Maddy summaryAJR 93 designates May 6 of each year as "Visiting Nurse Association Day" in New Jersey to recognize the work of Visiting Nurse Associations (VNAs). The resolution has no direct impact on individuals or services but formally honors VNAs for providing home health, hospice, and community care to thousands of New Jersey residents annually. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of this day, aligning with National Nurses Week (May 6-12). This is a symbolic gesture with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a tuition reimbursement program for advanced practice nurses in New Jersey who provide mental health care in designated underserved areas. Eligible nurses must be New Jersey residents, certified by the state nursing board, and have mental health training; they agree to work full-time in underserved areas for one to four years in exchange for reimbursement. The program reimburses 25% of eligible tuition costs per year of service (capped at 100% total over four years), based on the lowest tuition year in their accredited program. Nurses must adhere to service requirements, including charging standard rates with sliding fees for uninsured patients and maintaining certification and residency.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3353) creates a formal process for New Jersey county colleges to start offering four-year nursing degree programs. It requires county colleges to submit detailed proposals - including program descriptions, facility plans, cost analyses, curriculum details, and enrollment projections - to the New Jersey Presidents’ Council for review. The council must provide feedback within 30 days and forward approved proposals to the Higher Education Secretary, who must decide within 60 days. Programs cannot launch without accreditation from the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The bill directly affects county colleges (like those in Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, and Union counties) and aims to increase nursing education capacity to address statewide workforce shortages.

Maddy summaryACR 106 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the cap on certain retirement and disability benefits when calculating eligibility for New Jersey’s $250 property tax deduction for seniors (65+) and disabled residents. Currently, only benefits up to the maximum Social Security amount are excluded from the $10,000 annual income limit for qualifying this deduction. The amendment would allow all qualifying federal or state retirement/disability benefits to be fully excluded from the income calculation, enabling more seniors and disabled residents to qualify if their total income remains under $10,000. This change directly affects low-income seniors and disabled residents who rely on government benefits for housing affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to establish a public awareness campaign called "Count the Kicks" to educate pregnant women in their third trimester about tracking their baby's movements. The campaign must provide information on why fetal movement indicates health, how to monitor kick counts per medical guidelines, and how tracking may reduce stillbirth. The Commissioner must make materials available online in English and Spanish and distribute them through clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, WIC offices, and community programs. The campaign must report its progress to the Governor and Legislature within two years of implementation. The bill directly affects pregnant women in New Jersey seeking guidance on fetal health monitoring.