Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Skills Service Corps, a paid volunteer program for adults aged 18 and older that allows participants to earn industry-recognized credentials while working on state projects. Administered by the Office of Volunteerism in the Department of State, the program requires volunteers to commit at least 15 hours per month for up to two years in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and community development, with priority given to residents of underserved communities. Eligible participants receive a monthly stipend determined by the program director and complete training and free certification upon finishing their service. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund to finance the program through state appropriations, federal grants, and private contributions, and includes an initial appropriation from the General Fund to launch the initiative.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey SNAP retailers to display informational posters about preventing benefit fraud. The posters, provided by the Department of Human Services, will include practical tips for SNAP recipients, such as securing their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards. Retailers must place these materials prominently where SNAP shoppers can easily see them. The law applies to all authorized SNAP retailers in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide contactless EBT cards to all eligible SNAP recipients by January 31, 2027. The cards, which allow users to tap or wave them at checkout instead of swiping, must be distributed free of charge. DHS must secure a vendor agreement for card production, terminate contracts if deadlines are missed, and publish a county-by-county progress report within six months of the bill's enactment. The legislation aims to modernize New Jersey's SNAP benefits system by replacing current EBT cards with contactless technology.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that replacement benefit cards for the Work First New Jersey program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) must include written instructions on how to lock and unlock the card to prevent unauthorized use. Currently, replacement cards are issued without these security instructions. The change ensures recipients receive clear, actionable guidance when obtaining a new card, directly affecting individuals who need replacement cards for cash assistance or food benefits. This amendment modifies existing law (Section 5 of P.L.1997, c.37) to mandate the provision of security protocols at the time of card replacement.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey SNAP retailers (stores that accept SNAP benefits) to install technology on all checkout terminals to prevent card skimming - where criminals illegally steal payment card details. Starting January 31, 2027, retailers must equip terminals with anti-skimming features approved by the Department of Human Services. The department can inspect stores, impose fines up to $5,000 per violation, and exclude repeat offenders from the SNAP program after four violations. The law directly affects SNAP retailers and aims to protect customers' payment information.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local government entities to purchase at least 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which supports rehabilitation facilities. It grants the CNA a "right of first refusal" for any goods/services typically bought through cooperative purchasing catalogs, provided they can match prices within 15% of fair market value. The bill also mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property create training protocols for all purchasing agents to ensure awareness of the CNA program, with annual reporting on compliance by all affected entities. These requirements apply to all state and local government bodies authorized to make purchases.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet from school buses loading/unloading children or individuals with developmental disabilities on undivided highways, and to slow to 10 mph on divided highways. It establishes that violations captured by school bus monitoring systems (like cameras) will result in a $300 civil penalty instead of criminal charges or license points. The law directly affects drivers near school buses, school bus operators, and enforcement agencies. Key provisions include standardized stopping distances, speed limits for divided highways, and shifting penalties for monitored violations to a civil fine system. This changes enforcement by prioritizing evidence from monitoring systems to reduce penalties for documented violations.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" to research and develop proposals addressing generational harms from New Jersey's role in slavery and systemic racial discrimination. The task force will examine historical and current disparities affecting Black communities, including voter disenfranchisement, youth incarceration rates, housing discrimination, wealth gaps, and school segregation. It will produce a report with policy recommendations for state-based reparations based on documented harms. The bill directly affects Black residents of New Jersey who face these systemic inequities, as outlined in the legislative findings.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A-484 allows local sewer and water authorities to create programs reducing monthly fees for low-income residents. It directly affects households with incomes at or below federal poverty guidelines (capped at existing state assistance thresholds), requiring applicants to own or rent a dwelling unit and meet specific residency criteria. Authorities must establish eligibility procedures, verify income documentation, and ensure sufficient budget funds to cover reduced revenue before implementing these fee cuts. The bill also requires authorities to advertise available reductions to residents and prohibits overlapping discounts with existing programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to provide SNAP (food assistance), WFNJ (cash assistance), and WIC (nutrition program) recipients with clear information about card skimming, cloning, and fraud prevention. It mandates that agencies replace stolen benefits through established claims processes using federal funds (per the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act) or state funds if federal funds are unavailable. DHS and DOH must also coordinate with card vendors to implement security measures like embedded microchips and transaction alerts. The bill directly affects millions of low-income New Jersey residents who rely on these programs for essential support.