Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires courts to inform victims and abusers about counseling services for children who were physically present during or witnessed domestic violence. It establishes a legal presumption that custody should be awarded to the domestic violence victim (the non-abusive parent) in appropriate cases. Courts can now order counseling for affected children as part of domestic violence protection orders. The bill also expands court authority to require psychological evaluations and other protective measures. These changes aim to better protect children and victims in domestic violence cases by addressing their specific needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3007) raises the maximum age for residents in New Jersey pediatric long-term care facilities from 19 to 26 years old. It directly affects these facilities and young adults aged 19-26 who currently may not qualify for such care under existing law. The key provision amends licensing requirements to allow facilities to admit and provide services to residents age 26 or younger. The Commissioner of Health must adopt implementing rules, and the change takes effect immediately. (Based on bill text, current law limits pediatric care to under age 19.)

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time teachers can be away from service while maintaining membership in New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). It increases the standard discontinuance period from two to seven years, and extends the return-to-service window to 25 years for teachers who were laid off or voluntarily left with 10 or more years of service. Teachers returning within these extended timeframes will be re-enrolled in the TPAF at their previous tier with no additional contributions required. The changes apply to all current and future TPAF members who meet the specified conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to include instruction about the history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans in Social Studies and English Language Arts curricula for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It mandates that school boards integrate this content as part of their existing implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The Commissioner of Education must provide sample lesson resources and activities to support schools, developed with input from the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for school counselors in New Jersey. It mandates that school counseling programs at colleges must incorporate the American School Counselor Association's model and include training in social-emotional learning and career planning. School counselors (defined as those with a NJ certification and endorsement) must provide services addressing students' academic, career, social, and emotional needs, and complete required professional development in areas like mental health awareness, trauma-informed practices, and cultural competency. The bill also creates a new State School Counselor Liaison position within the Department of Education to support school districts and advance comprehensive counseling services. These changes directly affect school counselors, school districts, and higher education institutions offering counseling certification programs.

Maddy summaryS 3944 allows New Jersey nonprofit theaters to obtain special alcohol licenses by clarifying that "disregarded entities" (like single-member LLCs treated as part of their parent nonprofit for tax purposes) qualify for these licenses. It applies to art-house movie theaters or performing arts venues with seating capacities of 50-1,000 people (for smaller venues) or 1,000+ people (for larger venues), operated by tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. The license permits alcohol sales during specified times: two hours before, during, and two hours after performances (with a 15-performance annual limit for smaller venues). This change directly affects nonprofit theaters seeking to sell alcohol to support their operations, without counting toward other liquor license limits. The bill clarifies existing law to expand eligibility for these specialized licenses.

Maddy summarySJR 154 directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection's capacity market pricing model to determine if it ensures reliable electricity at the lowest cost, requiring a report within 12 months. It also mandates the state to collaborate with neighboring PJM states to promote affordable energy practices, urge PJM to implement market reforms protecting ratepayers from rising prices, and accelerate reviews of new power generation projects. The resolution addresses concerns about increasing electricity costs for New Jersey customers, linked to PJM's current pricing structure and delays in new energy resources entering the grid. This action aims to align PJM's operations with New Jersey's energy affordability goals under the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide up to $53.45 million in low-interest loans for transportation infrastructure projects in fiscal year 2026. It specifically funds 17 local government projects across New Jersey, including bridge replacements, road improvements, and street redesigns in cities like Bayonne, Hoboken, and Princeton. The bill also allows for up to $1 million in principal-forgiveness loans for project planning and design costs, with up to $100,000 of that amount forgiven upon project completion. All loans must be repaid within 31 years and are subject to specific eligibility requirements. The funding expires on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program, which provides tax credits to businesses that make significant investments in New Jersey manufacturing facilities. To qualify, businesses must invest at least $10 million in capital and create at least 20 new full-time jobs with median salaries at least 120% of local manufacturing averages. The tax credit amount is calculated as the lesser of 0.1% of capital investment multiplied by new jobs, 25% of capital investment, or $150 million, with $100 million reserved for clean energy manufacturers in the first two years. Businesses must maintain the jobs and investment for a specified period, and may forfeit credits if they fail to meet requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds support local governments in acquiring land for recreation and conservation (e.g., parks, open space) and developing existing lands (e.g., park improvements, inclusive playgrounds under "Jake's Law"). Specifically, $22.4 million funds land acquisition projects, $80.3 million supports development projects like park upgrades and inclusive playgrounds, and $3 million establishes a new planning grant program for local conservation planning. It prioritizes projects in densely populated areas and urban aid municipalities, as defined by population density thresholds.