Rep. Jerry Walker

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Community Health Worker Program within the Department of Health to train and certify community health workers who help connect patients with medical care in underserved areas. It establishes a statewide program that will begin in Newark and expand to other municipalities over five years, integrating these workers into Medicaid reimbursement systems. The legislation also forms a nine-member advisory board to oversee training standards and identify community needs, while requiring annual reports to the Legislature on the program's progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies permit review requirements under New Jersey's Coastal Area Facility Review Act to address nuclear energy facilities. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner to evaluate whether a nuclear facility's radioactive waste storage and disposal methods are safe, comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards, and do not endanger life or the environment. Currently, the commissioner only assesses waste disposal, but this change expands the review to include storage methods as well. The bill applies specifically to nuclear energy generation facilities operating in the state. No fiscal impact is expected from this legislative change.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies permit review requirements under New Jersey's Coastal Area Facility Review Act to allow the Department of Environmental Protection commissioner to approve nuclear facility permits even without a permanent federal high-level radioactive waste repository. The legislation removes a statutory barrier that currently prevents permit approval for new nuclear facilities pending federal waste storage solutions, arguing that on-site dry cask storage is proven to be secure and effective. Key provisions require the commissioner to ensure that proposed nuclear facilities use safe radioactive waste storage methods that conform to Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards and effectively protect public health and the environment. The bill aims to facilitate the construction and operation of advanced nuclear reactors to provide reliable, zero-emission baseload energy for New Jersey's growing electricity demand.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the ReadyReturn program in New Jersey, which allows the Division of Taxation to prepare initial income tax filings for low-income residents who typically do not file because their earnings fall below the required threshold. The program aims to help these individuals access the Earned Income Tax Credit and other benefits by removing barriers related to form access, document delivery, and filing complexity. Additionally, the legislation requires several state agencies to use existing tax data to streamline identification and enrollment for various social services programs, reducing the burden on applicants who must currently complete separate applications. The bill also includes an appropriation to fund these initiatives, with the goal of increasing tax compliance and improving access to essential safety net resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Workplace Skills Savings Program, a state-funded initiative designed to help employees save money for job training and skills development. The program creates individual accounts where eligible workers can contribute up to $1,000 annually, with the state providing a dollar-for-dollar match on those contributions. Administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the program allows funds to be used for apprenticeships, licensing exams, and certification fees, while protecting account balances from creditor claims. The legislation appropriates $25 million to fund the program and requires that any unused state matching funds be returned to the general fund if an individual withdraws from the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows small businesses in New Jersey to apply for low-interest loans from the Economic Development Authority to cover the full cost of energy audits and the installation of energy efficiency improvements. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned, operate primarily within the state, and meet other criteria set by the authority. The loans can have terms of up to ten years and carry interest rates capped at the greater of 3% or half the prime rate. The authority will work with the Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Community Affairs to administer this program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Youth Justice Commission to create and maintain a public registry of juveniles who were transferred to adult criminal court and are currently serving sentences in state juvenile facilities. The registry will include personal details such as names, sentences, facility locations, release dates, and criminal histories for both juveniles whose cases were waived without their consent and those who elected the waiver. Additionally, the commission must publish biennial reports with aggregated data on offenses, incarceration terms, demographics, and incidents like violence or segregation within these facilities. The law also mandates that the commission publish parole eligibility criteria online and provide this information to each incarcerated juvenile.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sellers in New Jersey from charging additional fees to customers who pay with credit cards, effectively banning credit card surcharges. It applies to businesses selling goods or services, including restaurants, but excludes motor fuel dealers. The law also requires businesses that set minimum purchase amounts for credit card use or offer discounts for cash payments to clearly display these policies at their point of entry, point of sale, or on their menus. These notice requirements extend to online and telephone transactions through electronic or verbal disclosures. Violations of the surcharge ban are classified as unlawful practices under existing consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Fair Pricing and Transparency Act, would require grocery stores in New Jersey to disclose when they use automated systems to set personalized prices for food items. It directly affects retailers who use electronic shelf labels or other digital pricing technology that can adjust prices based on consumer data such as browsing history, purchase patterns, or inferred characteristics like income or location. The law defines specific terms including "dynamic pricing" and "personalized pricing" to clarify what practices are covered, and it establishes detailed definitions for consumer data and protected characteristics to ensure clarity in enforcement. Retailers using these systems would need to inform customers about the pricing methodology, though the bill does not ban the practice itself. The legislation aims to increase transparency in how grocery prices are determined while allowing businesses to continue using algorithmic pricing tools.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Youth Detention Task Force in New Jersey to evaluate the current state of youth detention and recommend a system that best serves young people. The task force will consist of 25 members, including legislators, state officials, and public representatives from various organizations, who will examine factors like safety, resources, and rehabilitation opportunities. Members will meet to conduct reviews and public hearings, ultimately submitting a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. The act expires 30 days after the report is submitted, and task force members serve without pay but may receive expense reimbursements.