Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a "Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program" within New Jersey's State Tuition Aid Grant Program. It provides free tuition for eligible students who accept admission to a four-year public or participating independent college but choose to complete their first two years at a New Jersey county college to earn an associate degree, then transfer to complete their bachelor's degree. To qualify, students must meet financial eligibility (NJ Eligibility Index ≤2499), apply for all available grants/scholarships, defer admission to the four-year institution for two years, and attend the county college in their residence county. The program covers full tuition at both the county college and the four-year institution for the two-year transfer pathway, with funding adjustments if students exceed the two-year timeline. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will administer the program and report annually on participation and cost savings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to establish a Haitian Migrant Assistance Program for undocumented Haitian migrants who have resided in the state for at least two years. The program would provide time-limited cash assistance, help with housing and public benefits applications, job training, English literacy classes, and referrals to legal aid organizations specializing in Haitian cases. It would also include clothing assistance, budgeting education, Haitian Creole interpreters, and community orientation sessions about local services and civic processes. The state may contract with community-based or non-profit organizations to deliver these services.

Maddy summaryBill A4310 establishes the Public Education Innovation Fund within New Jersey’s Department of Education to provide grants to low-performing public schools for educational innovation programs. Low-performing schools are defined as those where student test scores (in language arts or math) in "not yet meeting" or "partially meeting" categories exceed 40% across both subjects or 65% in one subject for two consecutive years. Businesses making qualified donations to the fund can receive corporation business tax credits (capped at 75% of tax liability) or gross income tax credits (capped at $10,000 per business), with a total annual cap of $5 million across all credits. The fund is financed solely by business donations, and grants require competitive applications detailing how programs address academic barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program to include eligible workforce training programs, directly affecting students seeking non-degree credentials in high-demand fields. To qualify, programs must require at least 150 classroom hours, offer industry-valued credentials, and maintain 70%+ completion and job placement rates. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will designate participating programs, with eligibility criteria excluding degree-granting programs only if they meet these specific standards. This change broadens access to financial aid beyond traditional colleges, targeting workforce development needs identified by the state. The bill updates reporting requirements for these programs but does not alter existing TAG eligibility for degree-seeking students.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the number of motor vehicle penalty points required to trigger surcharges from six to ten points. It directly affects drivers in New Jersey who accumulate traffic violations, meaning they will now face surcharges only after reaching 10 points instead of six. The key change modifies the threshold in the existing law, while keeping the surcharge structure ($150 for 10 points, plus $25 per additional point) unchanged. The amendment applies to violations occurring after the effective date, with no surcharges collected after a specified notification date.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in grades 10-12 who participate in school-sponsored sports to replace their physical education class with a study hall during their sport's athletic season. Students must get written parental approval and have their coach confirm their participation, and their athletic involvement will count toward their graduation physical education credit requirement. The bill does not affect students not in sports, younger grades, or the existing requirement for health and safety education courses. It applies starting the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords in New Jersey to inspect rental properties for lead service lines (pipes connecting water mains to buildings) and lead plumbing within 90 days of the law taking effect. Landlords must then disclose the presence of lead pipes to current tenants and provide written notice - including health risk information - to prospective tenants before signing new leases. Failure to comply results in civil penalties of up to $500 per violation. The law directly affects landlords and tenants in rental properties across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 130) urges New Jersey's Governor and Legislature to create programs supporting social work education. It specifically addresses the high student debt burden faced by social work students (average $26,500 for bachelor's degrees and $48,000 for master's degrees) and low median salaries ($50,390), which deter individuals from entering the field. The resolution proposes initiatives like scholarships and loan redemption programs to incentivize social work careers and strengthen the state's workforce. It directly affects prospective and current social workers pursuing degrees in New Jersey. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal request for action.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4269) requires mortgage lenders to notify the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) within one business day when sending a foreclosure notice to a homeowner. It mandates HMFA to promptly offer free foreclosure counseling services to homeowners facing foreclosure, regardless of whether they plan to participate in mediation. The bill expands access by ensuring counseling is provided as a standard step after lenders issue foreclosure notices, rather than only as a prerequisite for mediation. This directly affects homeowners at risk of losing their homes, lenders who must send notices, and HMFA which must coordinate outreach.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 134) urges the U.S. Congress to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides monthly internet discounts and device subsidies to low-income households. The ACP currently serves over 20 million households nationwide - including 335,079 in New Jersey as of January 2024 - with discounts of up to $30 monthly (or $75 for Tribal lands) and a one-time $100 device subsidy. Without congressional action, the program is set to expire in April 2024 after exhausting its $14.2 billion budget. The resolution highlights how the ACP helps households access essential services like education, healthcare, and remote work by closing the digital divide.