Asm. Avi Schnall

Maddy summaryThis bill would require all public and nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or federal School Breakfast Program to provide free meals to every enrolled student, regardless of their family's income or federal eligibility status. Currently, schools only provide free or reduced-price meals to students who meet specific federal income or categorical eligibility criteria (like being homeless or receiving SNAP benefits). Under this bill, all students would receive meals at no cost, with the state covering the unreimbursed costs for students who are not federally eligible. This would expand New Jersey's existing "Working Class Families" Anti-Hunger Act, which previously provided free meals to students from families earning up to 224% of the federal poverty level.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to maintain nasal rescue medication (like diazepam or midazolam nasal spray) and portable oxygen devices in secure, accessible locations throughout all school buildings. It directly affects students with seizure conditions (who have a seizure action plan), school nurses, and designated school staff trained to administer these treatments during emergencies when the nurse isn't present. Key provisions mandate parental written consent, liability waivers, and standardized training protocols developed by the Department of Education and Health. The state will reimburse school districts for related costs, with training materials distributed annually to schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4695) creates an independent Office of Nonprofit Ombudsperson within New Jersey's Department of Treasury to assist nonprofit organizations interacting with state agencies. The Governor will appoint a qualified ombudsperson who will provide technical help, investigate complaints about state agencies, monitor compliance with a statewide nonprofit information portal, and develop better contracting practices for nonprofits. The office will maintain a website, hold public meetings, and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The bill appropriates $329,000 from the General Fund to establish and operate this office.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's "Design Professional Self-Certification Act" (A4360, now law as P.L.2024, c.58) creates a program allowing licensed architects and professional engineers to self-certify that certain construction projects comply with building codes. It directly affects qualified design professionals who can now submit construction permit applications with self-certification forms for eligible projects (like renovations under specific size limits for residential or commercial buildings), bypassing full code reviews by local agencies. Local building departments must then conduct a simple "supervisory check" to confirm all required documents are present and issue permits - same as before - within 1-5 days. This applies only to projects not excluded (e.g., structural alterations requiring special inspections, new kitchens, or electrical upgrades over 400 amps), with the Department of Community Affairs setting qualification rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program from a Mercer County-only initiative to cover the entire state, allowing local governments and transit agencies statewide to apply for grants. It adds specific requirements for projects, including ensuring access for low-income residents without smartphones or credit cards and requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicles and accessible mobile apps. The bill appropriates $20 million in new state funding (beyond an existing $2 million) to support these grants. The program funds transportation projects using innovative technologies to improve mobility, accessibility, and sustainability in disadvantaged communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from using emergency communication receivers (like radios tuned to police, fire, or medical channels) to make money, unless authorized by New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. It directly affects people who might sell or profit from listening to emergency broadcasts, such as through reselling real-time incident information. The key provision makes it a disorderly person offense to use such receivers for profit without authorization, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law amends existing statutes that already ban possessing these receivers during crimes, adding specific rules against commercial exploitation. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians to provide clear, written disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead domestic companion animals. It mandates specific information about testing reasons, protocols for handling and disposing of the animal's body (including head removal), and prohibits misrepresentation using euphemisms. Veterinarians must also distribute a pamphlet and display a poster about rabies testing protocols to pet owners at the time of rabies vaccination. Additionally, the bill establishes an optional, trauma-informed mental health training program for veterinarians, developed in consultation with state health agencies. These provisions directly affect veterinarians, pet owners, and the Departments of Health and Consumer Affairs.

Maddy summaryAJR 187 designates July 24 of each year as "Josh Gibson Negro Leagues Appreciation Day" in New Jersey to honor baseball legend Josh Gibson and the Negro Leagues. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through programs and activities. It recognizes Gibson's career achievements, including his recent integration into MLB records as the all-time leader in batting average and slugging percentage, and commemorates his 1936 home run at Belmar, New Jersey. The bill has no binding effect beyond the symbolic recognition and annual observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4012) establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate currently paid for Day Habilitation Services Tiers D and E under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program - approximately $9.38 per 15 minutes, compared to the current $3.65 rate for brain injury day programs. The policy directly affects licensed brain injury service providers and Medicaid beneficiaries requiring brain injury treatment. The change applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, aligning brain injury service reimbursement with rates for comparable developmental disability services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a tax credit program allowing New Jersey taxpayers to receive a 75% credit against their state income tax for donations to approved scholarship organizations. It directly affects nonpublic school students who meet income criteria (household income ≤2.6x the federal reduced-price lunch threshold) attending schools complying with anti-discrimination and anti-bullying laws. The key mechanism requires scholarship organizations to spend 95% of donations on student aid, limit administrative costs to 5%, and adhere to strict eligibility rules. The program would have been capped at $37.5 million annually (adjusted for inflation), but the bill was withdrawn from consideration on June 13, 2024, and never became law.