Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a four-year "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" within the Department of Education to provide funding for schools. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and "renaissance schools" (a New Jersey term for publicly funded alternative schools) seeking to expand STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. The program awards competitive grants for three specific areas: project-based learning (student-led STEM projects), afterschool STEM (after-class programs like clubs), and out-of-school STEM (non-classroom activities like workshops). Grants must supplement, not replace, existing STEM funding, and schools must submit detailed plans for program design, student recruitment, teacher support, and long-term sustainability. Funding comes from annual state appropriations and private donations, administered through a new "STEM Scholars Grant Fund."

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a quality-based reimbursement system for registered family child care providers participating in the state's subsidized child care program and the Grow NJ Kids quality rating initiative. It directly affects family child care providers who serve low-to-moderate income families and have earned a quality rating through Grow NJ Kids. The key mechanism is providing enhanced reimbursements to higher-rated providers, replacing the current flat-rate system with payments tied to quality standards. DHS must also seek federal approval to maintain funding for these subsidized child care programs under the new system.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow eligible organizations (such as charities) to conduct raffles in large entertainment venues in New Jersey, expanding the current allowance that only covered large sporting venues. Large entertainment venues are defined as shopping centers or malls with at least 1.5 million square feet, where at least 750,000 square feet are used for entertainment facilities like theaters, ice rinks, or water parks. The bill specifies requirements including that winners must be announced on the event date, prizes must be delivered within specific timeframes, and organizations must submit quarterly reports to the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission. It also allows for remote raffles using electronic means during public health emergencies and states that certain prize value limits don't apply to raffles conducted in these venues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey colleges and universities to maintain a supply of naloxone nasal spray (an opioid overdose reversal medication) in secure but accessible campus locations and develop specific emergency response policies. The policy must designate a licensed medical professional to oversee naloxone use, permit trained staff (including resident assistants) to administer it in good faith during suspected overdoses, and mandate hospital transport after administration. Institutions must also provide required training on naloxone protocols to designated personnel, with liability protection for good-faith actions. The bill specifically exempts licensed athletic trainers from violating their licensure act when using naloxone under these protocols.

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 summaryThis bill, the New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Plant Protection Act, prohibits actions like transporting, damaging, destroying, or selling endangered and threatened plant species without a permit, while allowing exceptions for typical agricultural operations and for scientific or educational purposes. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) commissioner to establish conservation programs, including land acquisition, and to create an advisory committee of nine experts (three from academia, three from environmental groups, and three from the public) to develop conservation plans for these species. The bill mandates the DEP to develop and implement conservation plans with public comment required before final approval, and establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties up to $25,000 per day for violations. All penalties collected would be deposited into a fund supporting conservation efforts for endangered and threatened plant species.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers administration of all school meal programs in New Jersey from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Education. It covers programs including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and emergency meal distributions, which provide nutritious meals to students and children in childcare settings. The transfer includes all related functions, funding, staff, records, and existing rules (which remain in effect until replaced by the Department of Education). The change aims to align program management with the Department of Education’s mission of supporting student academic success through school-based services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses from using receipt paper containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical added during manufacturing to improve paper properties, for transaction records like receipts, credit/debit card transactions, or banking records. Violators face civil penalties of $250 to $500 per offense, with each day of ongoing violation treated as a separate offense. The law would take effect 18 months after enactment, giving businesses time to switch to BPA-free alternatives. It directly affects retailers, restaurants, banks, and any business issuing transaction receipts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires motor vehicle inspection facilities and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to notify owners about active safety recalls during vehicle inspections and registration. It mandates that owners must have all open recalls repaired before their next registration renewal, with the MVC denying renewal applications for unaddressed recalls. The MVC must extend registration for up to six months if repair parts are unavailable or if the owner faces hardship beyond their control. The bill does not include manufacturer fee requirements in its detailed provisions, though the title mentions this; the focus is solely on notification and repair compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants in New Jersey to automatically include a healthy beverage - such as water, nonfat milk, or 100% fruit juice (max 8 ounces) - with any meal marketed for children. It directly affects restaurants that sell "children's meals" (defined as combo meals sold at a single price for kids). The law does not ban sugary drinks but mandates that the default beverage must meet specific health criteria, while still allowing restaurants to offer alternatives if requested. The goal is to reduce children’s consumption of sugary drinks by making healthier options the standard choice.