Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to report on 12th-grade students who enter registered apprenticeships or enlist in the military (including National Guard) as part of their annual school performance reports. It mandates that this data be included alongside existing metrics like graduation rates and college enrollment, and integrated into the state's federal accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act. The bill specifies that this new metric must not negatively impact a school's overall accountability rating. The requirement applies to all public high schools and will first take effect in the school year following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 107 is a non-binding resolution urging the New Jersey Department of Education to pause the development and implementation of new Student Learning Standards for two years. It directly affects the Department of Education and State Board of Education by requesting a temporary halt to creating new standards, while pending legislative bills about curriculum and learning loss are reviewed. The resolution cites parent concerns about current standards, pandemic-related learning loss, and declining U.S. education rankings as reasons for the pause. It does not change existing standards but asks for a two-year moratorium to allow the Legislature to address related issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's state income tax benefits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to mirror the federal tax advantages currently available to individual taxpayers. It amends existing law (P.L.1992, c.161) to align New Jersey's gross income tax treatment with federal HSA rules, allowing residents to deduct HSA contributions and enjoy tax-free growth on savings. The policy change directly affects New Jersey individual taxpayers who use HSAs for qualified medical expenses. The bill does not alter health insurance plan requirements or coverage provisions but adjusts state tax treatment to match federal standards. It remains pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Caregiver's Assistance Act creates a tax credit for residents who pay for care of elderly relatives. Caregivers with income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filers) can get 22.5% back on up to $3,000 annually in qualified care costs. Eligible expenses include home health services, adult day care, home modifications, and personal care assistance for qualifying seniors aged 60+ (or 50+ with disability) who meet income requirements. The credit does not apply to costs covered by insurance or government programs, and it's in addition to existing dependent deductions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges New Jersey's state and federal agencies to pause sonar testing and wind turbine mapping near offshore wind projects. It cites NOAA data showing 12 whale deaths (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphin deaths in February 2023 off New Jersey's coast - deaths occurring near active wind development sites. The resolution requests an immediate moratorium to allow scientific study of whether these activities interfere with marine mammals' navigation and communication. It specifically targets the Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The resolution does not create new law but calls for a pause while investigations continue.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement to join a national or multi-state self-exclusion program for casino gambling. It enables individuals who want to voluntarily ban themselves from casinos to use a single form to exclude themselves across multiple states, rather than submitting separate requests to each state. The bill requires the division to create forms and procedures ensuring people can select which states they want excluded from, and explicitly prohibits sharing their personal information without their direct consent. This directly affects gamblers seeking to self-exclude from casinos in multiple jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school districts to allow home-schooled students to join school-sponsored activities like sports, clubs, music, and theater in their resident district, using the same rules as enrolled students. To participate, home-schooled students must prove residency, meet eligibility requirements, and follow district policies. The bill specifically prohibits students from switching to home-schooling solely to play sports, and it mandates that districts provide home-schooled students access to required physical exams if offered to public school students. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryACR 109 is a symbolic resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature expressing support for U.S. and New Jersey law enforcement officers. It urges all levels of government to take action to improve officer safety and well-being through concrete steps like increasing staffing, enhancing equipment and training, strengthening penalties for assaults on officers, and expanding mental health resources. The resolution directly affects law enforcement officers nationwide by calling for systemic support measures, though it does not create new laws or funding. It was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the Assembly Public Safety Committee, reflecting bipartisan concern over rising officer assaults and mental health challenges.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2990) grants the Director of the Division of Pensions and Benefits subpoena authority to compel testimony and document production during investigations into state pension funds. It directly affects pension fund administrators, trustees, and individuals or entities providing records to the division. The key provision allows the Director to issue subpoenas for witnesses, documents, and records, with noncompliance addressed through Superior Court contempt proceedings. The change streamlines the Director’s ability to gather evidence for pension fund oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Advisory Council within the Department of Health and requires public school teaching staff (including teachers, school nurses, and athletic trainers) to complete two hours of annual suicide prevention training from licensed mental health professionals. It mandates confidential reporting of suspected youth suicide attempts or deaths by school staff, mental health professionals, and certain other designated personnel to the Department of Health, with protections for reporters' immunity from liability. The law defines key terms like "suicide attempt" and "youth" (under 24), and creates a system for aggregating non-identifying data to inform annual reports. The bill directly affects school staff, healthcare providers, and school administrators in New Jersey.