Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to study and evaluate the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system under the TEACHNJ Act. The 12-member task force, including educators, principals, and education organization representatives, must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. It temporarily pauses new student growth data collection for the 2024-2025 school year, requiring schools to use existing data instead - except for new, non-tenured, or first-year teachers who must set new objectives during that year. Starting in 2025-2026, school districts will implement updated data collection guidelines based on the task force's final recommendations. The bill directly affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts experiencing reductions in state school aid to temporarily increase their property tax levies beyond the usual 2% cap. It specifically provides adjustments equal to the amount of state aid lost in the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 school years, or to reach adequate funding levels after 2024-2025. The bill prohibits districts using these adjustments from reducing teacher staffing or cutting appropriations for instruction and support services, though the Commissioner of Education may approve such reductions in specific circumstances. This policy change helps districts maintain budget stability when state funding decreases without requiring voter approval for tax increases beyond standard limits.

Maddy summaryThe "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New Jersey" establishes a state-level voting rights law to protect racial, color, and language-minority groups' voting rights. It requires election policies to be narrowly tailored to compelling justifications and prohibits methods that impair protected class members' ability to elect their preferred candidates. The bill creates a preclearance process for political subdivisions with prior voting rights violations before implementing election policies, mandates language assistance for language-minority groups meeting census thresholds, and provides remedies including alternative election processes and redistricting changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary online resume bank for New Jersey residents with disabilities who wish to be appointed to state boards, commissions, authorities, or similar entities (like special committees or task forces). The Governor must establish a webpage listing available appointments and allow individuals to submit their resumes, including personal contact details, disability-related information, and preferred state entities. The resume bank will be accessible to the executive branch and Legislature to help identify qualified candidates for these roles. It does not mandate appointments but aims to streamline the application process for state positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to require public bodies (like state agencies, municipalities, and authorities) to set aside 0.5% of funds from construction projects over $1 million for outreach and training programs. The funds must support programs preparing minority group members and women for careers in construction trades, engineering, management, and related occupations through apprenticeships and supportive services. Eligible programs can be run by community groups, labor organizations, schools, or other entities through grants from the Department of Labor. Annual reports will track fund usage, program participation, and employment outcomes for participants. The bill updates existing requirements from 2009 to expand covered occupations and ensure consistent fund allocation across all public construction projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (for SNAP and WFNJ programs) and Department of Health (for WIC) to provide recipients with clear information about card skimming and cloning fraud risks, prevention tips, and how to report stolen benefits. It mandates that both departments establish a process to replace stolen benefits using federal funds first (following federal SNAP rules), then state funds if federal funds are unavailable. The bill also requires departments to work with card vendors to implement security upgrades like microchips, transaction alerts, and usage limits on electronic benefits cards. Additionally, departments must report annually on fraud incidents, replaced benefits, and fraud prevention efforts to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3991) directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create a new "general science" endorsement for teaching certificates. This endorsement would allow certified teachers to teach any high school science course (grades 9-12), rather than being restricted to specific subjects like biology or chemistry. To qualify, teachers must hold a science-related degree (biology, chemistry, physics, or equivalent), maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass basic skills and subject matter tests, and meet other commissioner requirements. Existing science teachers with specialized endorsements (e.g., biology, chemistry) can apply for this general endorsement if they meet the new standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault law to specifically address assaults on elderly or disabled individuals. It upgrades the offense to a third-degree crime when bodily injury occurs to a person with a disability (defined as someone with a pre-existing medically determinable impairment that substantially limits physical or mental resistance) or a senior citizen aged 60 or older, and to a second-degree crime for significant or serious bodily injury. The law mandates a minimum three-year prison sentence with no parole eligibility during that term for convictions under this provision. The bill was prompted by specific incidents including the assault of a disabled man in Trenton and attacks on elderly victims in Ewing and Lawrence. This change directly affects perpetrators of assaults against vulnerable populations who meet the defined disability or age criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide customers with specific documents in-person on the same day as their appointment, rather than requiring them to return later. It directly affects drivers and residents seeking new or renewed licenses, permits, identification cards, or vehicle registrations at any MVC agency location. The key provision mandates that MVC must have cameras and printers available at all locations to issue 12 specific documents same-day, including standard and REAL ID driver's licenses, permits, non-driver ID cards, and vehicle registrations. The bill takes effect three months after enactment, with MVC allowed to prepare in advance.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $2 million in state funding to New Jersey's Department of Labor to support county prosecutors in enforcing wage payment laws. It requires each county prosecutor's office to assign a dedicated assistant prosecutor to investigate and prosecute cases where employers fail to pay wages or violate wage-hour laws. The funding covers both financial resources and training for prosecutors to handle these cases more effectively. This directly affects workers who are owed wages and county prosecutors who will now have dedicated staff and resources for wage enforcement.