Maddy summaryThis bill requires public school districts in New Jersey to provide a daily lunch period of at least 30 seated minutes and a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes for students in grades kindergarten through eight. The legislation expands current recess requirements, which previously applied only to students in grades kindergarten through five, to include older elementary and middle school students. While districts must generally provide these breaks, they may deny recess to a student no more than twice per week for code violations, provided the student participates in restorative justice activities instead, and may also deny recess based on medical advice or a 504 plan. The law does not require recess on days when the school schedule is substantially shortened due to early dismissal or delayed opening.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $4.5 million grant program to reimburse New Jersey school districts for costs incurred when expanding their procurement of locally grown food for students. It directly affects eligible school districts participating in federal meal programs (like National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs), requiring them to submit plans for new or expanded local food sourcing beyond current baseline levels. The program reimburses documented costs for minimally processed local foods (like fruits, vegetables, or grains grown in New Jersey), excluding fluid dairy milk. School districts must implement new policies to increase local food access during school meals or summer programs to qualify for reimbursement.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey tax exemptions for veterans to include all branches of the Uniformed Services of the United States, such as the NOAA and the Public Health Service, in addition to the currently covered Armed Forces and National Guard. It achieves this by amending state tax code sections to replace the specific reference to the "Armed Forces" with the broader legal definition of "Uniformed Services," thereby extending a $6,000 gross income deduction to these additional groups. The legislation also ensures that military pension and survivor benefit payments received by these newly included veterans remain exempt from state gross income tax. These changes take effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1 of the year following the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Children's System of Care to change how respite care services are authorized for individuals under 21 with developmental disabilities. It establishes a 12-month authorization period (replacing the current 90-day renewal) and mandates that families receive a separate "bank" of respite care hours - distinct from regular family support hours - to use for agency-hired, agency-weekend, or self-hired respite care based on their needs. Families must undergo an annual review of service needs and outcomes but cannot have their authorized respite hours reduced. The bill applies directly to families of eligible youth and ensures continuity of care while maintaining current service levels.
Maddy summaryAssembly Bill 5146 requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to deploy mobile service units in every congressional district to provide vehicle and licensing services, with a focus on areas lacking public transportation or having limited appointment availability. The bill mandates that the commission collect and publish quarterly data on service performance, including wait times and the number of services provided, while also requiring annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. Additionally, the legislation establishes mandatory customer service training for all employees and introduces new feedback mechanisms, such as QR codes, to assess satisfaction and handle complaints. Finally, the bill directs the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit within 18 months to evaluate the effectiveness and costs of these mobile units.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The bill asks the Governor to issue a proclamation honoring the victims, first responders, and the resilience of the American people. It also directs that copies of the resolution be sent to federal leaders and members of Congress from New Jersey. The measure serves as a formal state recognition of the event and does not create new laws or change existing policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program within the Department of Human Services to provide financial support to licensed child care centers and family day care homes in New Jersey. The program aims to help providers cover operating expenses and workforce needs, particularly those facing challenges such as facility closures, high numbers of low-income families, or revenue losses from the state's preschool expansion. To receive funding, providers must apply and meet specific criteria, with priority given to facilities in child care deserts, areas with many low-income families, and those impacted by recent policy changes. The bill establishes a dedicated fund to hold the money appropriated for these grants, ensuring resources are available to stabilize the child care industry.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child tax credit to include children aged six through 11, in addition to the current eligibility for children under six. It directly affects resident taxpayers with taxable income of $80,000 or less who have children in this age range. The key provision amends existing state tax law to allow a credit of up to $1,000 per child, with the amount decreasing as family income rises above $30,000, and applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 976) creates a temporary license for nonresident military spouses who move to New Jersey due to a military spouse’s assignment. It allows these spouses to practice certain licensed professions (like nursing or social work) without full New Jersey licensure, provided they hold a current license in another state with equivalent requirements and meet other criteria like recent experience and a clean disciplinary record. Most temporary licenses are valid for one year (extendable once), but licenses for six specific professions (including nursing and social work) are valid for two years. The bill directly affects military spouses relocating with active-duty service members, enabling them to work in their licensed professions while adjusting to their new home state.
Maddy summaryThis bill waives initial application and issuance fees for professional and occupational licenses in New Jersey for veterans and their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners who already hold a current, equivalent license in another state. It applies when the applicant resides in New Jersey and the out-of-state license meets the board's equivalent or substantially equivalent requirements. The exemption covers all licenses issued by professional boards under the Division of Consumer Affairs. The bill does not affect renewal fees or licenses obtained through other pathways.