Asm. Cleopatra Tucker

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3159) creates a 10% price preference for businesses owned by women veterans or women actively serving in the U.S. military when competing for New Jersey state contracts paid with public funds. It directly affects qualifying businesses that meet specific criteria: at least 51% ownership/control by a woman veteran or active-duty woman, with the business based in New Jersey and independently operated. The preference means a qualified business can win a contract even if its bid is slightly higher than others, as long as it remains the lowest after applying the 10% discount. The bill defines "woman veteran" as a female with an honorable military discharge and "woman serving in the military" as a female on active duty or who completed initial training.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A885) requires New Jersey's State Chief Diversity Officer to study whether disabled veteran-owned businesses are being adequately utilized in state procurement contracts. The study must determine if disparities exist between the availability of these businesses and their actual use by state agencies. Within 12 months of enactment, the officer must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, with potential follow-up reports tracking implementation of prior recommendations. The bill directly affects disabled veteran-owned businesses and state agencies managing procurement contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3203) creates a sexual assault prevention and response program within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, including a dedicated coordinator who operates independently from military chain of command. The program directly affects service members (including New Jersey National Guard members) who experience sexual assault or harassment, providing confidential complaint options, victim advocacy services, and access to compensation. Key provisions allow victims to file confidential complaints, convert them to formal complaints, receive notices about subsequent accusations against the accused, and have protective orders filed on their behalf with consent. The program requires annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing prevention efforts, incident statistics, training gaps, and response strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3171) requires the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Homes in Paramus and Menlo Park to convert at least one section in each facility to single-occupancy rooms and upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to infection control standards. The Adjutant General may also require additional modifications like negative pressure ventilation for infectious disease control. Funding will come first from federal block grants (including American Rescue Plan Act funds) allocated to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, with state General Fund money covering shortfalls if needed. The changes directly affect veterans residing at these two specific facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1098) exempts New Jersey disabled veterans from admission fees at state parks and forests, and also removes fees for motor vehicle access to park beaches for fishing. It directly affects disabled veterans who are New Jersey residents and have been honorably discharged with a service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill amends existing law to add "disabled veteran" as a qualifying category for free admission (currently covering residents 62+, totally disabled individuals, and National Guard members with training completion) and specifically exempts this group from beach access fees. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to use funds from performance bonuses it receives to hire more staff. Specifically, it directs DHS to increase trained personnel for processing food stamp applications (SNAP), public assistance applications under the Work First New Jersey program, and staffing facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness. The funds must be used for these exact purposes as specified in the bill, depending on which program the bonus was awarded for. This policy change ensures existing bonus money is directly allocated to improving service capacity in key human services areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1868) would require most New Jersey residents to register existing body armor with the Attorney General within 90 days of the law taking effect and obtain a permit for new purchases. Eligibility for permits would be limited to law enforcement officers, active military personnel, individuals in high-risk jobs (as determined by the Attorney General), and licensed body armor dealers. Sellers must register each sale with the Attorney General within three business days and face civil penalties for noncompliance. Exceptions include government employees using body armor for work and licensed dealers who register with the Attorney General. Violating these rules would be a third-degree crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Community Wealth Preservation Program" to help residents purchase homes at sheriff's sales after foreclosure. It allows qualifying buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence for 84 months to pay a 3.5% deposit (instead of 20%) and have 90 business days to complete the purchase with no interest for the first 60 days. Buyers must complete HUD-approved homebuyer education and provide mortgage pre-approval documentation, with penalties up to $500,000 for not occupying as primary residence. The program requires sheriff's offices to provide clear program information in plain language, excludes investment properties, and gives nonprofit community development corporations special rights to purchase properties while preserving affordability for future buyers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act" to improve safety and sanitation standards in New Jersey's rental housing. It requires landlords to register with detailed information about ownership, emergency contacts, and maintenance personnel, and mandates annual certification of registration accuracy. The bill strengthens the warranty of habitability by requiring courts to consider habitability violations when tenants fail to pay rent, and creates a new system for tracking inspections and tenant complaints. Landlords who fail to comply face penalties of up to $500 per violation, and the law aims to hold landlords accountable for providing safe and sanitary housing for tenants.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a fourth-degree crime for a landlord or property owner to knowingly rent a dwelling that violates housing safety regulations (an "illegal occupancy") and causes serious injury or death to someone. It directly affects landlords who rent properties failing to meet health/safety codes, zoning rules, or housing standards. Violators face up to 18 months in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. The law does not replace existing civil penalties, such as requiring landlords to cover tenant relocation costs under current law.