Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryThis bill (A668) requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a water safety fact sheet for schools. The fact sheet must include practical tips for parents to prevent child drowning, highlight the importance of swimming lessons, and list free/reduced-cost water safety courses by county. Public school districts must distribute this fact sheet to parents when a child is first enrolled, while nonpublic schools are encouraged but not required to do the same. It directly affects parents of newly enrolled students in New Jersey schools and aims to improve access to water safety resources.

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 bill requires New Jersey state employees whose jobs involve face-to-face public interaction to work in person during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. It mandates state agencies to create detailed reopening plans within 15 business days of enactment, covering safety measures like PPE, cleaning protocols, social distancing, and accommodations for high-risk employees. If an agency must temporarily close, it must provide public alternatives such as video platforms or mobile units. The requirements expire when the Governor ends the public health emergency, with agencies required to report compliance to the Governor and Legislature within 60 business days.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to help New Jersey employers recruit veterans. It requires participating employers to provide up to $5,000 in relocation assistance to eligible veterans (reimbursed by the state), who must relocate to New Jersey for a job and stay employed for at least 12 months. Veterans must create profiles through a contracted nonprofit to be matched with employers, and employers document eligible expenses before reimbursing veterans directly. If a veteran leaves before 12 months due to circumstances like layoff or family emergency, the program allows for partial or full forgiveness of repayment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property owners or tenants to legally enter adjacent land for necessary repairs or improvements without the neighbor's permission, under strict conditions. To qualify, they must first request permission (and be denied), notify local law enforcement, post a $1,000 bond to cover potential damage, and limit work to no more than eight hours per day or 30 days total per year. The owner must also work carefully to avoid damage, restore the land to its original condition, and avoid storing materials on the neighbor's property. It directly affects property owners needing urgent repairs that require access across boundaries, while protecting neighbors through the bond and time restrictions. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for undergraduate students who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients and reside in New Jersey. To qualify, recipients must be enrolled full-time (up to 16 credits per semester), have applied for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and maintain good academic standing. The waiver applies for up to eight semesters of study. It does not cover non-tuition costs like housing or books, and institutions determine eligibility documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects revenue from certain motor vehicle fees and surcharges to New Jersey's Transportation Trust Fund instead of the General Fund. Currently, some of this money goes to the General Fund, but this bill changes that allocation. The redirection is phased in over five years, starting with 20% of the revenue in the first year after the bill takes effect, increasing to 100% by the fifth year. This change affects how transportation funding is structured, ensuring more money from vehicle fees supports transportation projects rather than general state budgeting.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits candidates from being nominated for more than one elective office in the same primary or general election. It amends New Jersey law to prevent candidates from accepting nominations for multiple offices during a single election cycle, including both primary and general elections. The law also requires the Secretary of State to certify candidates for only one office per election, ensuring no individual appears on ballots for multiple positions simultaneously. This change directly affects candidates seeking multiple offices in the same election, such as running for both state assembly and senate seats in the same election.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program, providing financial aid to eligible veterans attending public colleges and universities in New Jersey. It covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to 18 credits per semester after other grants and scholarships are applied, with public institutions waiving any remaining balance if the grant is insufficient. To qualify, veterans must have served at least one year in active duty (including National Guard or Reserves), received an honorable discharge, reside in New Jersey, apply for other aid first, and maintain good academic standing. The program is administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's agricultural trespass law by removing the requirement that a person must have acted "knowingly or recklessly" to commit the offense. It broadens the offense to include any unauthorized entry onto agricultural lands (on foot, by vehicle, or otherwise) or damage to property (like fences, crops, or animals) without written permission from the landowner. The bill also expands the definition of "lands" protected under the law to include appurtenant woodland for Christmas tree production and lands used for agricultural equipment storage, provided landowners give notice via posting, fencing, or other visible means. These changes directly affect anyone entering agricultural lands without permission or damaging property there, while requiring landowners to maintain clear trespass prohibitions.