Asm. Rosy Bagolie

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program, providing scholarships to New Jersey residents employed full-time in public service sectors facing critical workforce shortages (such as hospitals, public schools, or first responder roles). Students who complete one year of qualifying employment receive up to $25,000 for two years of college at a public NJ institution, while those completing two years receive up to $50,000 for four years. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents and citizens, have graduated from a NJ high school within the past year (or soon), and apply for other financial aid before receiving the scholarship. The program requires repayment if students are dismissed from school or withdraw without approval, but exempts repayment for approved withdrawals due to medical or family emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey school district lease rules by extending the required approval threshold for long-term agreements. School boards must now get approval from the Commissioner of Education and Local Finance Board only for leases exceeding 20 years (previously 5 years) and for lease-purchase agreements for building improvements or additions (also extended from 5 to 20 years). The bill maintains existing requirements that lease payments must fit within tax levy limits without needing additional voter or board approval. It directly affects all New Jersey public school districts seeking long-term building leases or lease-purchase agreements for school facilities.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all teaching certification candidates who complete an approved educator preparation program to complete a youth mental health education course or online module starting with the 2027-2028 school year. It also mandates that out-of-state teaching certificate holders or those with a certificate of eligibility complete a state-developed online module within one year of the bill's effective date. The Department of Education must create an online module covering youth mental health dangers, safe classroom strategies, and cultural competence considerations. Educator preparation programs must update their curricula to include this training and submit revisions for approval. Candidates who completed comparable mental health training within the past five years may apply for an exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school employees to immediately report credible threats of violence (such as threats of death or serious injury) to the principal or their designee. If law enforcement determines the threat is imminent and credible, the school must notify all staff, students, and parents, and place the individual on a list prohibiting access to school property and events. The school must also share this access list with all employees and administrators in the district and neighboring districts. The bill updates school safety training to include procedures for reporting threats and restricting access, while protecting employees from liability for good-faith actions taken under the law. It directly affects school districts, employees, and individuals making threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program to include disabled residents who receive disability payments under the federal Railroad Retirement Act (45 U.S.C. § 231 et seq.). Currently, only disabled individuals receiving payments under the federal Social Security Act (Title II) qualify for this reimbursement. The bill expands eligibility by adding Railroad Retirement disability payments as a qualifying source, without altering existing income thresholds or residency requirements. This change would allow more disabled New Jersey residents to claim property tax reimbursement on their primary residence if they meet all other program criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5303) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide policy for investigating human trafficking. It directs the AG to specifically consider: (1) using audio/video recordings in undercover operations to protect investigations and victims, (2) strict rules for sharing such recordings, (3) involving county prosecutors early in investigations, and (4) other relevant areas. The review responds to a 2024 Commission report on human trafficking in the massage industry. This policy update will affect law enforcement agencies conducting human trafficking investigations statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in New Jersey to transfer Schedule II prescription medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) between pharmacies, rather than requiring patients to obtain a new prescription from their doctor. Currently, Schedule II prescriptions (like ADHD medications) cannot be transferred between pharmacies, forcing patients to seek new prescriptions when their preferred pharmacy is out of stock. The bill specifically permits these transfers for ADHD prescriptions only, while requiring compliance with federal regulations. This change aims to provide greater convenience for patients who need ADHD medication but cannot fill their prescription at their usual pharmacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5350) prohibits the development of affordable housing on land previously identified as contaminated, even after remediation or DEP certification of safety. It requires developers to conduct soil tests for land intended for affordable housing and submit results to local authorities; construction cannot begin on sites determined contaminated, except for DEP-certified safe sites. The bill applies to new development applications and municipal housing plans not yet approved, with penalties for violations including fines and loss of housing credit. It directly affects developers seeking to build affordable housing and municipalities managing housing obligations under state law.