Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $100,000 grant program administered by New Jersey's Division of Housing and Community Resources to fund street pole banners promoting local innovation achievements. It directly affects municipalities that apply, requiring them to submit plans highlighting specific regional accomplishments in fields like bioscience, clean energy, or telecommunications. Selected municipalities (nine total, with three per region and diverse urban/rural representation) must use funds to develop and install banners, then report on expenditures and banner impact within one year. The program includes mandatory reporting to the state on implementation and best practices, with the goal of evaluating potential statewide expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that New Jersey law permits law enforcement agencies to run gun buyback programs where individuals can voluntarily surrender both firearms and ammunition without facing charges for unlawful possession. It requires that any program accepting firearms must also accept ammunition and allows these programs to offer rewards for surrendered items. The bill explicitly covers ammunition in the same process as firearms, aligning with current law enforcement practices that already include ammunition in some buyback efforts. This change ensures the legal framework for voluntary surrender is clear and comprehensive.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2802) requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal Medicaid waivers to secure funding for new graduate medical education training spots focused on behavioral health care. If approved, it would create a process for medical training programs to apply for Medicaid funds to add these specialized slots. The bill directly affects graduate medical education programs in New Jersey, enabling them to expand training in behavioral health care through existing Medicaid funding mechanisms. It does not create new state spending but leverages federal Medicaid resources to address a specific training gap.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes two key mechanisms to address youth disconnection (young adults aged 16-24 not in school or employment): 1) A Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson, appointed by the Governor and reporting to the Education Commissioner, to develop statewide strategies for preventing disconnection and reconnecting affected youth. 2) A 25-member School Disconnection Prevention Task Force, including school leaders, youth advocates, and agency representatives, to analyze causes of disconnection, research solutions, and recommend best practices to school districts. The Ombudsperson must annually report progress to the Governor and Legislature, while the Task Force must issue a final report within nine months of forming, with follow-up accountability for implementation. This directly affects over 100,000 disconnected youth identified in New Jersey, focusing on systemic prevention and reconnection through cross-agency collaboration.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey resident taxpayers to deduct 50% of their E-ZPass toll payments for New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) tolls - including Turnpike and Garden State Parkway tolls - from their taxable income. It applies to amounts paid through electronic toll systems like E-ZPass, excluding fines, administrative fees, or reimbursed amounts. Taxpayers cannot claim deductions for tolls already deductible under other business or partnership tax rules. The deduction takes effect immediately for taxable years beginning January 1 after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program, providing two years of tuition support (up to $2,000 annually, totaling $4,000) at county colleges for eligible high school graduates. Students must earn a "School Counts certificate" by meeting strict criteria: 95%+ attendance, C+ GPA, completing extra credits beyond graduation requirements, finishing high school in 8 semesters (or per IEP), and passing Algebra I. The scholarship covers tuition, books, and fees (up to full cost of attendance), requires prior application for other aid, and mandates enrollment within six months of graduation. Funding combines state appropriations, county college contributions, and private donations, with program rollout starting at four colleges (one per region) and expanding to all 11 county colleges over time.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires data brokers (businesses that collect and sell personal details like names, addresses, or health information without a direct relationship with customers) to register annually with New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs for a $100 fee. Brokers must submit detailed information about their data practices, including opt-out options, data breach history, and policies for minors' data. Crucially, the bill prohibits brokers from selling, sharing, or transmitting any physical health records (e.g., doctor visits, treatments) or behavioral health records (e.g., mental health or substance use treatment details) to third parties. Violations carry penalties of $50 per day for registration failures or $1,000 per health record disclosed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to provide fee-for-service coverage for long-term care services (like those from assisted living residences or personal care homes) to beneficiaries who are already eligible for Medicaid's managed long-term services program but are waiting up to 60 days to enroll in a managed care organization (MCO). It ensures no payment gap exists during this transition period, starting from the date of eligibility and ending when MCO enrollment begins. The bill formalizes an existing Medicaid policy to prevent service disruptions for vulnerable residents awaiting MCO enrollment. It directs the state to seek necessary federal approvals to implement this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides supplemental transportation aid to New Jersey school districts participating in the interdistrict public school choice program that are located in cities of the second class and have been ordered by the New Jersey Supreme Court to desegregate. These districts (called "choice districts") must arrange transportation for students from other districts ("sending districts") who live more than two miles (elementary) or 2.5 miles (secondary) from the choice school, if the school is within 20 miles of the student's home. The sending district receives state transportation aid for these students and pays it directly to the choice district. If the choice district's actual transportation costs exceed the state aid received, it may get supplemental state aid by demonstrating cost-efficient routing (like centralized pick-ups for multiple districts) and reporting annual cost differences to the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits offering any firearm or firearm-related item as a prize in raffles across New Jersey. It directly affects raffle organizers, including businesses, nonprofits, and community groups, by banning prizes like guns, holsters, ammunition, or storage equipment. The law defines "firearm" broadly to include handguns, rifles, shotguns, and even air guns, while "firearm-related items" covers anything used with firearms (e.g., cleaning kits or displays). The prohibition takes effect immediately upon enactment.