Rep. Julio Marenco

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary exemption to New Jersey's ban on importing woodchucks (groundhogs) specifically for Groundhog Day celebrations. It allows counties or municipalities to replace a deceased local Groundhog Day mascot by importing a woodchuck from another state, provided they first try to use a woodchuck found within New Jersey or imported from a state without certain rabies variants. The Division of Fish and Wildlife must provide guidelines for safe handling, housing, and prioritize local sources before approving out-of-state imports, with the goal of minimizing public health risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows honorably discharged veterans in New Jersey to obtain special license plates displaying the word "Veteran" in addition to standard registration markings. To qualify, applicants must provide a DD-214 or discharge certificate and pay a $15 fee on top of regular vehicle registration costs. Surviving spouses of deceased veterans may continue using these plates on their vehicles. The Motor Vehicle Commission will design the plates, handle applications, and notify drivers about the option during registration renewals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1.5 million grant program administered by New Jersey's Division of Local Government Services to help local governments (municipalities and counties) improve operational efficiency. It allows local governments to apply for grants - up to $150,000 for counties or $100,000 for municipalities - to hire licensed consultants for efficiency reviews, with applicants required to contribute 25% of the grant amount as matching funds. Recipients must report on specific cost savings, shared services, or service improvements achieved within one year of receiving funds. The program mandates public reporting of results through comparative profiles and annual summaries to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates featuring Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (Lambda Theta Alpha) branding. Vehicle owners who apply pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with the extra funds deposited into a dedicated "Lambda Theta Alpha License Plate Fund." The fund's money is annually appropriated to the sorority to support its mission and programs, after covering administrative costs. The program requires 500 initial applications and private funding (up to $25,000) to cover setup costs before implementation, and expires if these conditions aren't met within 12 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Police to create a maternity leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of fully paid recovery leave after childbirth, with benefits maintained and the leave not counted against sick leave balances. The policy must also prohibit residency restrictions or integrity checks during this leave period, which are typically applied to other medical leave. The State Police Superintendent must post clear details, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information, on the department's intranet. This directly affects current and future female troopers who become pregnant while serving.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates for the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. Motor vehicle owners can apply for these plates by paying a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee (in addition to standard registration costs). The fees collected, after covering administrative expenses, will fund a dedicated account that annually provides grants to support the fraternity's mission and programs. The program requires the fraternity to raise up to $25,000 from private sources and secure 500 applications before implementation, and it expires if these conditions aren't met within 12 months.

Maddy summaryThe "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey" requires all voting policies to be interpreted in ways that maximize voting access for all eligible voters, particularly members of racial, color, and language-minority groups. It prohibits voting practices that burden protected class members and mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters. The bill creates a preclearance process for voting changes in jurisdictions with a history of voting rights violations and establishes the New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data. These provisions aim to ensure equitable access to voting and protect against voter suppression and vote dilution.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school staff in New Jersey to complete training on caring for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders every two years. It directly affects school staff (including teachers, coaches, and support personnel) and students with these conditions. The training, provided through Department of Health-approved courses by nonprofit organizations, covers recognizing seizures, emergency response, and daily care. This update builds on existing law (P.L.2019, c.290) that already requires schools to develop individualized health plans for affected students but adds the mandatory biennial staff training requirement. The law applies to all school-sponsored activities, including those outside regular school hours.