Asm. Cleopatra Tucker

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Supreme Court to automatically dismiss unresolved municipal court charges, complaints, and arrest warrants for specific low-level offenses (like shoplifting under $200, petty assault, or possession of small amounts of marijuana) that are five years or older. It directly affects individuals with old, unresolved minor criminal cases, removing the threat of being summoned or arrested for these offenses. The bill excludes violations of municipal ordinances and mandates that the Administrative Office of the Courts conduct two studies within six months: one on expanding existing conditional dismissal programs, and another on a voluntary surrender initiative similar to a federal program. These provisions aim to reduce court backlogs and address fairness concerns with long-pending minor cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $8 million in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to increase reimbursements for funeral, burial, and crematory services provided to eligible beneficiaries of the Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. The funds will raise the reimbursement level by $1,000 per eligible person, directly supporting funeral homes and cemeteries that serve these beneficiaries. The increase applies to services covered under existing regulations (N.J.A.C.10:90-8.2), building on current reimbursement caps without replacing existing budgeted funds. This supplemental appropriation brings total FY 2022 spending for these services to $23.8 million, addressing a significant gap between current reimbursements ($4,340 max) and average funeral costs ($15,268).

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities, counties, and regional police and fire departments to require new hires to live in their jurisdiction for five years. It permits departments to adopt ordinances making residency a condition of employment, with new hires given six months after completing training to relocate. Exceptions are included if a member faces injury or threats related to their job, such as intimidation or attempts to manipulate investigations. The law directly affects police and fire personnel seeking employment in these public safety roles across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits union officials representing probation officers, supervisors, and related judicial staff to participate in all union activities - including lobbying, spending union funds, and partisan political activities - while on full-time leave under existing law (N.J.S.11A:6-12). It directly affects union officers for judicial probation units in New Jersey, removing a previous restriction on their involvement in these activities. The law overrides other provisions that previously deemed such participation improper. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3150) modifies New Jersey's laws to improve leave and compensation protections for public employees who serve in military reserves or the National Guard. It establishes specific paid leave allowances: 30 work days per year for most military reserve members (including National Guard from other states) and 90 work days per year for New Jersey National Guard members. The bill requires public employers to create written policies for military leave requests, provide written responses within 90 days, and maintain records for at least 10 years. These changes ensure consistent treatment of military service leave requests and protect employees' rights during their service.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A3155 proposes to restrict when law enforcement can use deadly force. It removes current allowances for using deadly force during arrests for specific crimes (like homicide, kidnapping, or robbery) and to prevent escapes from jail or prison. Under the bill, deadly force would only be permitted if an officer reasonably believes there is an immediate threat of deadly force to themselves or another person. This change would apply to all law enforcement officers and others acting under the law in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses and nonprofit organizations to enter agreements with stormwater agencies to manage stormwater basins in designated watersheds (including Lake Hopatcong, Budd Lake, and others). It provides a 100% tax credit against New Jersey's corporation business tax, capped at $1,000 per year or 50% of the tax liability, for certified costs related to basin adoption. The credit requires agencies to certify participation and basin location in qualifying watersheds, with unused credits carryable for up to four years. The bill does not impose new costs on agencies but requires participating entities to demonstrate capability and secure liability waivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to add a "military-connected student" identifier to its student database, defined as a dependent of active-duty military, National Guard, or reserve personnel. School districts must notify a teacher when a military-connected student enrolls in their class, allowing teachers to monitor academic engagement and provide support. The bill also mandates annual reports on these students' attendance, test scores, and graduation rates, while allowing parents to opt their child out of the notification system. It applies to all public schools in New Jersey starting after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes two key mechanisms to address youth disconnection (young adults aged 16-24 not in school or employment): 1) A Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson, appointed by the Governor and reporting to the Education Commissioner, to develop statewide strategies for preventing disconnection and reconnecting affected youth. 2) A 25-member School Disconnection Prevention Task Force, including school leaders, youth advocates, and agency representatives, to analyze causes of disconnection, research solutions, and recommend best practices to school districts. The Ombudsperson must annually report progress to the Governor and Legislature, while the Task Force must issue a final report within nine months of forming, with follow-up accountability for implementation. This directly affects over 100,000 disconnected youth identified in New Jersey, focusing on systemic prevention and reconnection through cross-agency collaboration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts (S.A.F.E.) within New Jersey's State Office of Emergency Management. The office would analyze risks and impacts of a widespread technology failure (like a major outage affecting communication, medical services, or transportation), develop response plans for essential services, and provide quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature. It would also research technological dependencies, hold public hearings, and create public guides on preparing for such events. The bill directly affects state emergency management operations and planning, not individual citizens or private entities.