Asm. Alixon Collazos-Gill

Maddy summaryS 2082 creates a 12-member New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to examine the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system established under the 2012 TEACHNJ Act. The task force will specifically study the use of student growth objectives in evaluations, assess administrative burdens on educators, review current research on effective evaluation practices, and recommend potential updates to the law. It will hold public hearings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. This bill does not change evaluation rules directly but sets up a process to review them; the current system affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey. The task force includes representatives from teachers' unions, school administrators, and education associations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires producers of plastic packaging and single-use plastic products (such as straws, utensils, cups, plates, and plastic bags) to gradually reduce the amount of plastic they sell by weight each year, with targets of 90% of baseline after 2 years, 80% after 4 years, 70% after 6 years, 60% after 8 years, and 50% after 10 years. It also expands the "Toxic Packaging Reduction Act" to prohibit certain toxic substances in packaging, including PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols, and vinyl chloride, which were previously not restricted. The bill establishes a Toxic Packaging Task Force to recommend additional toxic substances for regulation, and producers who violate the requirements face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day. It excludes medical devices, animal biologics, and hazardous product packaging from the requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents New Jersey school districts from facing state funding cuts exceeding 5% in any school year. It requires districts to receive the greater of their prior year's state aid amount (reduced by no more than 5%) or the amount calculated under existing law. The policy applies to all public school districts for the 2024-2025 school year and future years, covering all state aid categories like equalization and special education funding. County vocational school districts receive a special provision ensuring they get the higher of this bill's calculation or their existing vocational stabilization aid amount.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the filing deadline for New Jersey public safety retirees and members of PFRS, SPRS, and PERS to claim accidental disability retirement benefits related to 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It allows retirement system boards to approve additional two-year filing extensions beyond the initial two-year window required after the 2019 law. The bill also provides an alternative to proving prior medical health status by permitting members to submit medical examination results from before or after public service entry, rather than requiring proof of a passing pre-employment physical. This applies to those who participated in 9/11 operations between September 11-12, 2001, and developed qualifying health conditions as a result of their service. Retirement systems must notify members about this bill within 30 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 178 is a New Jersey joint resolution urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a treatment option for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) who haven’t responded to standard therapies. It directly affects veterans using VA care, noting that 23% of VA patients have experienced PTSD, which can cause long-term neurological and psychological symptoms. The resolution highlights that HBOT has shown potential in treating brain function disruptions and references a 2017 VA pilot program and recent VA evidence reviews. It does not fund or mandate HBOT but requests a formal study to assess its effectiveness for veterans with treatment-resistant conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students receiving opportunity grants through New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program to use a portion of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their academic major. Students must notify the Secretary of Higher Education before the academic year begins, resulting in a proportional reduction of their grant funds during the regular academic year. The bill also requires annual reporting by institutions on summer grant usage and graduation rates, implementing a 2016 College Affordability Study Commission recommendation.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding assembly resolution (AR 139) expressing formal appreciation to the staff of the New Jersey General Assembly. It specifically thanks the Chief Clerk and all staff members - including Sergeants at Arms, committee services, administrative personnel, and others - for their dedication, expertise, and service during legislative sessions. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is purely a symbolic gesture recognizing staff contributions to the legislature's operations. Copies will be distributed to all General Assembly staff members.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers to develop heat safety plans to protect workers from heat-related illness and injury. The plans must include access to cool water, shaded rest areas, regular breaks, and training on recognizing heat illness symptoms. Employers must follow these plans when temperatures reach 90°F outdoors or 87°F indoors, and must review their plans annually. The Department of Labor will enforce these requirements with fines or stop-work orders for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "EMS Part" within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), specifically for emergency medical services employees. It establishes enhanced retirement benefits including a pension equal to 50% of final compensation for employees with 20 or more years of service, plus additional benefits for those with 20-25 years of service. Eligible positions include emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical services supervisors, and other certified health professionals providing emergency medical services. The State will cover increased pension costs for counties and municipalities resulting from this new retirement system component.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Resolution AR 127 is a symbolic statement condemning Arizona's Supreme Court ruling in *Planned Parenthood v. Mayes*, which enforced an outdated 1864 abortion ban. The resolution does not change laws but formally opposes Arizona's decision to uphold a near-total abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest. It reaffirms New Jersey's existing commitment to protecting residents' access to reproductive health care services, as established by state law. This resolution has no legal effect on Arizona or New Jersey policy but expresses legislative disapproval of the Arizona court's action.