Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when appointing members to state boards, commissions, or similar bodies established by law, the appointing official (such as the Governor, Senate President, or Assembly Speaker) must prioritize achieving racial and gender diversity that reflects New Jersey’s population. The goal of diversity becomes a primary consideration for all appointments made after the bill’s effective date, unless it conflicts with specific circumstances or the law creating the body. The bill defines "gender" to include gender identity and "race" as based on physical characteristics or shared ancestry. This policy change directly affects how officials select members for these state entities, aiming to improve representation without mandating specific quotas.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (A902) requires all New Jersey public school districts to close on days of general and primary elections, replacing current law that allows school boards to decide. It directly affects school districts statewide by mandating closures on these specific election days instead of leaving the decision to individual boards. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, changing the school calendar requirement for election days.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A876 bill would create a single online application for residents to pre-apply for affordable and senior housing (determining initial eligibility and waitlist position) and to apply for 10 housing subsidy programs, including Section 8 vouchers, rental assistance, and energy aid (where the application serves as final eligibility determination). Currently, applicants must submit separate forms for each housing option and subsidy program. The application would allow users to select specific municipalities, counties, or regions and cover rental, for-sale, temporary, and priority housing types. This consolidates fragmented processes into one platform, reducing administrative burden for applicants.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide all vehicle and licensing services - such as license renewals, registration, and ID cards - in person at every MVC agency location, without mandatory appointments. It mandates walk-in service for all customers (with accommodations when locations aren't fully booked), emergency license printing, and an online scheduling system for commercial driver’s license tests. The MVC must also create and distribute informational brochures (both online and in print) detailing all available services. These changes directly affect MVC customers seeking in-person vehicle and license services across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides New Jersey employers with three tax credits for hiring and supporting workers with disabilities. Employers can claim: (1) wage credits of up to $1,800 in the first year (30% of $6,000) and $1,200 in the second year (20% of $6,000), (2) transportation expense credits up to $600 annually, and (3) accessibility modification credits of 10% on eligible costs (up to $10,250) for small businesses. To qualify, employees must be certified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as meeting the ADA definition of disability. The credits apply against insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax, and gross income tax, with unused credits carryable for seven years.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A2016) makes assault, stalking, and harassment against elected public officials and their immediate family members a third-degree crime in New Jersey, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. It expands existing protections by adding officials and their family to the list of protected individuals under assault law, where such crimes were previously only aggravated assault for other specific professions. The bill requires the State Police and local police to provide protective services to affected officials and their families on a case-by-case basis. It defines "immediate family" to include spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, parents, siblings, children, and stepchildren. The bill was introduced following an assault against the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows state employees who were temporarily working at New Jersey psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities before joining the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to apply for accidental disability benefits if injured during that temporary employment. It deems injuries sustained while performing duties (e.g., as nurses, correction officers, or healthcare workers) at those facilities as occurring "during membership" for PERS benefit eligibility, even if the injury happened before PERS enrollment. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2003, and covers employees who later become PERS members without interruption in their job. This specifically affects temporary workers in state psychiatric or correctional facilities who were previously ineligible for PERS disability benefits after becoming members.
Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act requires legal firearm owners to store unloaded firearms in a locked container with ammunition stored separately when not in use, applying to most owners except active law enforcement officers (when minors are present), temporary transfers, and firearms on display for sale. Retail dealers must provide written warnings and post signs about safe storage requirements to customers. The bill appropriates $500,000 for a public awareness campaign about safe storage risks and requires the Attorney General to collect data on implementation and submit annual reports to the Legislature. This replaces previous laws specifically addressing minors' access to firearms with broader safe storage requirements for all firearm owners.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A589) requires a drunk driver convicted of reckless vehicular homicide that kills a parent or guardian to pay financial support for the child's needs. It mandates courts to order payments covering the child's living expenses until age 18 (or graduation), or until 21 if the child has a disability, with a minimum 5-year payment period. The court must consider the child's financial needs, living standards, and the surviving parent's resources when setting the amount. Payments accrue during incarceration but allow up to one year after release to begin paying, and civil judgments are offset by these ordered payments.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Commission on Health Equity within the Department of Health to address health disparities linked to racism and systemic inequities. The 27-member commission, including department heads and a local health department representative, will develop strategies to improve health outcomes for communities of color. Key provisions require collecting data on health outcomes by race, ethnicity, and language; making recommendations on implicit bias training for healthcare providers; and establishing a health equity framework for government decision-making. The commission must report annually to the Governor and Legislature on progress and recommendations, directly affecting state agencies, healthcare providers, and communities experiencing health disparities.