Asm. Sean Kean

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 The program would have been capped at $37.5 million annually (adjusted for inflation), but the bill was withdrawn from consideration on June 13, 2024, and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban most abortions after 20 weeks following fertilization, with exceptions when the pregnancy threatens the woman's life, results from rape (requiring prior reporting to law enforcement), or results from rape or incest involving a minor (also requiring prior reporting). Physicians must determine the probable post-fertilization age before performing an abortion and document the specific exception being used. The bill requires specific informed consent forms, prohibits performing abortions in violation of these rules (which would be a third-degree crime), and mandates appropriate medical care if a child is born alive following an abortion under an exception.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4421 prohibits colleges and universities from using "cultural competency skills" or "knowledge of any particular ethnic or religious group" as criteria when hiring or promoting staff. The bill directly affects public and private higher education institutions in New Jersey, with an exemption for roles where such skills are essential (determined by the Secretary of Higher Education). Institutions found non-compliant lose eligibility for state funding covering operational and capital costs. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey colleges and universities to create a written policy governing overnight camping on campus grounds or facilities. The policy must mandate that anyone or any group seeking to camp (including using tents, sleeping bags, makeshift shelters, or vehicles like RVs) must obtain prior approval from the institution. The bill defines "camping" as any overnight use of such items for any purpose and takes effect immediately. It directly affects campus administrators and students/groups who might seek to camp on school property.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 140) is a symbolic condemnation, not a law, addressing Rutgers University's response to student protests. It specifically criticizes Rutgers for accepting eight of ten demands from protesters who established an encampment at Rutgers University-New Brunswick on April 29, 2024. The demands included divesting from companies supporting Israel, ending partnerships with Tel Aviv University, and accepting Gazan students, while the protesters used anti-Semitic rhetoric and glorified Hamas violence. The resolution states Rutgers’ acceptance of these demands created a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff, and urges the university to uphold campus safety policies. It directs copies to Rutgers' leadership but has no legal effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's public colleges and universities from entering any partnership (including contracts, joint ventures, or memorandums of understanding) with institutions of higher education located in Palestinian-controlled West Bank or Gaza territories. It also bans the transfer, license, or sublicense of intellectual property (such as research data or patents) to those institutions. Public institutions found non-compliant by the Secretary of Higher Education would lose eligibility for state funding covering operational and capital costs. The law applies specifically to partnerships with institutions in designated Palestinian territories and takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4417) prohibits displaying or flying flags of organizations designated as terrorist groups by the U.S. Department of State on any state-owned or leased property. It directly affects state agencies, schools, hospitals, parks, and other government facilities that use state property. Violating this rule results in immediate loss of state funding, with penalties determined by the Secretary of State and Budget Director. The ban does not apply to flags displayed for news, theater, historical, or educational purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from creating scholarship programs limited to students who are citizens or permanent residents of countries or territories controlled by terrorist organizations designated by the U.S. Secretary of State. It directly affects all public and private institutions of higher education in New Jersey by banning such restricted funding programs. Violations would result in loss of state operating aid, state bond proceeds, and state student financial aid funds distributed through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The bill was introduced in response to a specific incident at Rutgers University where student demands included accepting Gazan students on scholarships. The policy change focuses on ensuring state-funded educational programs remain open to all eligible students without geographic restrictions tied to terrorism designations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public and private colleges and universities from receiving state funding if they boycott or divest from Israel-supporting businesses or Israeli businesses. Specifically, institutions that engage in actions defined as boycotting Israeli goods/entities, divesting due to a company’s support of Israel (including through "in-kind" or for-profit ties), or participating in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement would lose access to state operating aid, education facility bonds, general obligation bonds, and state student scholarship funds. The bill explicitly excludes divestment for "prudent economic reasons," such as financial risk management. It applies to all parts of an institution, including endowments and departments, and defines key terms like "boycott" and "divestment" in plain language. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the filing deadline for New Jersey public safety retirees and members of PFRS, SPRS, and PERS to claim accidental disability retirement benefits related to 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It allows retirement system boards to approve additional two-year filing extensions beyond the initial two-year window required after the 2019 law. The bill also provides an alternative to proving prior medical health status by permitting members to submit medical examination results from before or after public service entry, rather than requiring proof of a passing pre-employment physical. This applies to those who participated in 9/11 operations between September 11-12, 2001, and developed qualifying health conditions as a result of their service. Retirement systems must notify members about this bill within 30 days of enactment.