Asm. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program in eligible New Jersey counties (population over 950,000) to provide nursing services for students at nonpublic schools. It redirects funding that would previously go to school districts for these services directly to county consortia of nonpublic schools, requiring consortia to coordinate all nursing care for participating schools. Nonpublic schools must notify the state by June 1 each year to join the consortium, and the program includes annual audits and a legislative oversight committee. The pilot aims to streamline nursing services for nonpublic school students while evaluating potential statewide expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program allowing eligible voters in New Jersey to register to vote on election day during the 2021-2023 general elections at designated county locations (at least one per county). It directly affects residents who meet standard voter eligibility requirements (U.S. citizenship, age 18, 30-day residency) but have not yet registered. Under the program, voters would complete a registration form at designated sites, receive directions to their polling place, and cast a provisional ballot. The program requires annual reports on its effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature, with recommendations for permanent same-day registration if it successfully increases participation with low fraud risk.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3037) requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to adjust routes and hours for its motorbus, paratransit, and rail services - including light rail - within one year to better meet the mobility needs of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. NJT must first seek input from individuals with autism and their advocates before making any changes. The bill also mandates that NJT annually gather this input to assess whether current service adjustments are sufficient or if further changes are needed. It directly affects individuals with autism spectrum disorder by aiming to improve their access to public transportation. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to support scientific conferences hosted by New Jersey's institutions of higher education. It appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to cover costs like event space rentals, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for these events. Grants cannot be used for food or unrelated vendor expenses. Institutions must apply with conference details, speaker credentials, and cost information to receive funding. The program becomes effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2262) increases tuition credit amounts for volunteer firefighters and first responders in New Jersey. It raises the annual credit from $600 to $1,250 per year of service, with a total maximum of $5,000 over four years (up from $2,400), for active members of volunteer fire companies or first aid/rescue squads, their spouses, and dependent children. The existing requirement that volunteers must agree to serve four years in exchange for the credit remains unchanged. The credit applies to tuition at county colleges, vocational schools, or technical institutes, subject to course availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3031) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a program encouraging owners or operators of closed landfills to transform these sites into habitats supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats using native plants. The DEP must develop guidelines for establishing and maintaining these habitats within six months of the bill taking effect, and actively seek corporate or nonprofit partnerships to fund and support the program. It directly affects owners of legacy or closed sanitary landfills statewide, with the goal of repurposing underutilized landfill sites for ecological benefit. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes for habitat creation, not on outcomes or political arguments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public awareness campaign about social media's risks to minors, targeting parents and guardians of children aged 13-17. It appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for the New Jersey Department of Education to develop and implement the campaign within 180 days of enactment. The campaign will use statewide media channels - including newspapers, radio, TV ads, and social media - to share research on social media's mental health impacts, based on the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory. The Commissioner of Education must report on the campaign’s progress to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months of the bill’s effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2311) modifies New Jersey's pretrial release procedures for defendants charged with firearm offenses. It allows courts to take up to seven additional days beyond the standard 48-hour deadline to consider release decisions when a prosecutor requests extra time for a firearms ballistic analysis. The provision directly affects individuals facing pretrial detention who are accused of crimes involving firearms, requiring courts to wait for this analysis before finalizing release conditions. The change ensures courts can review firearm evidence before deciding whether to release a defendant or detain them pending trial.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public colleges to provide student-athletes with an equivalent scholarship if their athletic scholarship isn't renewed due to a serious injury or illness directly related to their sport. It applies specifically to student-athletes who become medically ineligible to compete because of such an injury. The new scholarship must cover the same value as the lost athletic scholarship, and combined with any prior athletic scholarships, it must last for up to five academic years or until the student earns their degree - whichever comes first. Public institutions may choose to offer additional years beyond the five-year limit at their discretion.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Caregiver's Assistance Act creates a tax credit for residents who pay for care of elderly relatives. Caregivers with income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filers) can get 22.5% back on up to $3,000 annually in qualified care costs. Eligible expenses include home health services, adult day care, home modifications, and personal care assistance for qualifying seniors aged 60+ (or 50+ with disability) who meet income requirements. The credit does not apply to costs covered by insurance or government programs, and it's in addition to existing dependent deductions.