Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the daily vehicle traffic limit for municipalities and counties to install certain speed humps (specifically flat-topped speed tables ≥10 feet) without New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) approval. It raises the threshold from 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles per day on residential streets (two-lane or one-way) and within 500 feet of schools or school properties. Municipalities may now install these flat-topped speed tables without DOT approval on eligible streets meeting the higher traffic threshold, while standard speed humps still require the lower 3,000-vehicle limit. The bill directly affects local governments planning traffic calming measures on residential streets near schools or in business districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to create "Municipal Homelessness Trust Funds" and adopt "homeless housing plans" to address local homelessness. Municipalities can collect up to $3 in additional fees from building permits, business licenses, fines, or other fees to fund these trusts. Funds must be used exclusively for permanent affordable housing, rental vouchers, supportive services, and prevention programs for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with projects required to reduce homelessness measurably and include outcome tracking. Municipalities must consult a community task force including people with lived homelessness experience and report annual fund usage to the state Department of Community Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill would add sickle cell anemia to the list of qualifying medical conditions for New Jersey's medical cannabis program. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by chronic anemia and periodic pain episodes. If enacted, the bill would allow patients diagnosed with sickle cell anemia to obtain medical cannabis under the state's existing medical cannabis laws. The bill amends P.L.2009, c.307 to expand the list of qualifying conditions without changing the process for obtaining medical cannabis.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain transportation providers, including ferry operators, private autobuses carrying up to 40 passengers for hire, and major transit agencies like NJ Transit, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Delaware River Port Authority, to develop and publish route schedules. Providers must post these schedules visibly at transportation facilities and on their websites, and update them within 30 days of any changes. The bill specifically targets fixed route services while excluding certain exempt services like school buses, charter buses, and some paratransit services. It defines "autobus" to clarify which private transportation services are covered by the requirement. The law aims to improve transparency and accessibility of public transportation information for riders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DHS) and the State Board of Medical Examiners to create a faster process for reviewing applications from doctors who want to join NJ FamilyCare (the state's Medicaid and children's health insurance program). Specifically, the medical board must share a physician's license number with DHS within 5 days of issuing it (or provide denial documentation within 5 days if licensure is denied), and DHS must begin processing applications immediately if they include license details or proof of pending licensure. DHS must also notify applicants within 10 days of receiving the license number if additional documents are needed. The bill does not change existing licensing or enrollment requirements and clarifies that approval cannot be granted before DHS receives a National Provider Identifier number.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes several railroad safety requirements. It mandates a minimum of two crew members for trains transporting hazardous materials (with exceptions for certain operations like tourist trains or yard movements), prohibits trains longer than 8,500 feet on main and branch lines, and requires privately owned railroads to submit federally required bridge inspection reports. The bill also requires railroads to maintain proper wayside detector systems for defect detection and permits non-profit labor organizations to inspect for safety hazards. Violations face civil penalties of $500-$1,000 per foot exceeding the maximum train length, with potential maximum penalties of $250,000 for gross negligence or repeated violations causing safety hazards.

Maddy summaryThis bill would merge New Jersey City University (NJCU) with Kean University, transferring all of NJCU's assets, campuses, and functions to Kean University. It ensures Kean University receives all state funding, grants, and resources previously allocated to NJCU, including institutional stabilization aid for three years, and provides state assistance to help Kean manage NJCU's existing debt. The merger would make Kean University responsible for all NJCU operations, with all references to NJCU in law being replaced by references to Kean University. It also addresses employee transitions, requiring NJCU employees to become new employees of Kean University while retaining certain benefits and civil service protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two key programs in New Jersey. First, it establishes an Air Traffic Controller Loan Redemption Program, allowing eligible NJ-resident controllers employed at approved airports to have up to $100,000 of their student loans redeemed over four years of service (16% after year one, 26% after year two, etc.). Second, it appropriates $2.5 million to fund a grant program for public colleges to join the federal Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative, support a Center for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena studies, and develop non-engineering aviation degrees with air traffic control coursework. The bill requires participating colleges to already be in the federal Unmanned Aircraft Systems program and prioritizes institutions in counties of the first class. Total funding is $3.5 million ($1 million for loan redemptions, $2.5 million for college grants).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires water suppliers to immediately notify specific entities when drinking water quality standards are violated. Affected groups include municipalities, school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools within the affected area. Suppliers must provide detailed information via phone and email, including contaminant names, test dates, locations, exceedance levels, and suggested remedies. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates tiered retirement benefits in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), moving all current non-retired members to the "Tier 1" benefit level previously available to members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days, and automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants - without transferring their contributions - unless they opt out within six months. Disability recipients under long-term insurance become eligible for disability retirement benefits if they apply within two years. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill's effective date.