Asm. Cleopatra Tucker

Maddy summaryThis bill allows union officers representing probation officers, supervisors, and related Judiciary staff in New Jersey to participate in union activities - including lobbying, using union funds, and engaging in partisan political activity - while on full-time leave under state law. It specifically applies to officers serving on behalf of collective bargaining units for these judicial employees. The law overrides prior restrictions that might have prevented such participation. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 500-foot drug-free zone around licensed child care centers in New Jersey, prohibiting the distribution, possession, or dispensing of controlled dangerous substances within that area. It directly affects individuals who sell or distribute drugs near these centers, with violations classified as a third-degree crime carrying mandatory minimum prison terms (one-third to one-half of the sentence, or one year for small marijuana amounts, or three years for other drugs). Key provisions require courts to impose parole ineligibility during these minimum terms, though judges may reduce penalties if children weren't present, violence wasn't involved, or the offense occurred outside school hours. The law also includes an affirmative defense for offenses entirely within private residences with no minors present and no profit motive. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to add "Vietnam Veterans of America" to the list of organizations whose authorized representatives can receive paid leave to attend state or national conventions. It directly affects state, county, and municipal employees who serve as official representatives of Vietnam Veterans of America. The law specifies that such employees may take up to five total paid days per year for convention attendance (including travel time), with unused leave not carrying over to the next year. The bill also removes two outdated organizations from the existing list.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2955) proposes tax incentives for New Jersey employers who hire individuals with disabilities. It would allow employers to claim credits against insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax, and gross income tax, including: 30% of the first $6,000 in wages for a new employee with a disability during their first year (20% in the second year), up to $600 for work-related transportation costs, and small business access improvement credits. The credits would apply only to employees certified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as meeting the federal ADA definition of disability. The bill is pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the title of the "Chief Diversity Officer" to "Chief Supplier Development Officer" within the Department of the Treasury and creates the New Jersey Office of Supplier Development and Business Opportunities. It requires all state agencies and contracting units to collect and report detailed procurement data - including contract awards to certified businesses like minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and veteran-owned enterprises - to this office. The office will analyze the data, monitor compliance with contracting goals, provide training to agencies, and develop a cloud-based system to track contracts. This directly affects state agencies responsible for purchasing goods/services and certified businesses seeking state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1904) allocates $8 million in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Department of Human Services for the Division of Family Development. It directly increases reimbursements paid to funeral homes and cemeteries by $1,000 per eligible person for funeral, burial, or cremation services provided to beneficiaries of the Work First New Jersey and Supplemental Security Income programs. The funds are added to existing appropriations (not replacing them) to raise the reimbursement level above current caps, which previously covered only about 28% of average service costs. This change specifically affects funeral service providers and program participants by expanding financial support for end-of-life services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (AR 70) requests the U.S. Department of Defense to allow transgender veterans to update their DD Form 214 (military discharge record) to reflect their current legal names and gender identities. It directly affects transgender veterans who face barriers in accessing benefits like medical care, employment preferences, and funeral services due to outdated information on their military records. The resolution asks the Defense Department to authorize these changes so veterans can match their discharge documents with their current legal identity, eliminating mismatches that cause discrimination or benefit denials. The bill does not create new law but formally urges the DOD to amend its policy on these historical military service forms.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create a "general science" endorsement for teacher instructional certificates. It allows certified teachers to teach any high school science course (grades 9-12) with this endorsement. To qualify, teachers must hold a science-related bachelor's or master's degree, maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass basic skills and subject-specific tests, and meet other commissioner-set requirements. Current teachers with specific science endorsements (biology, chemistry, etc.) can apply for this broader endorsement if they meet these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, these venues could permit smoking in areas used for gambling (like slot machine rooms or table games), but the bill would eliminate that exception. After passage, all indoor areas of casinos and simulcasting facilities open to the public for gambling would be required to be smoke-free. This change aligns these venues with the state's general indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public workplaces and spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.