Asm. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Training Clinicians to Support Adults with Autism Workforce Development Program" at Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services. It requires recruiting 8-10 students annually from diverse disciplines (e.g., psychology, social work, education) to complete 20-40 hours weekly of intensive training, including hands-on clinical work, academic coursework, research collaboration, and a capstone project focused on improving outcomes for adults with autism. The program is funded by a $500,000 appropriation from the General Fund. It directly supports adults with autism in New Jersey by building a trained workforce to address current gaps in services and quality of life.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for active members of volunteer fire departments, first aid squads, and rescue organizations who use personal vehicles for emergency duties. Eligible members receive a credit based on miles driven for emergency response, calculated using the IRS standard mileage rate (capped at $500 per individual or $1,000 for married couples filing jointly). To qualify, members must maintain active status, complete required service hours (400+ hours or attendance thresholds), and provide documentation through their organization. The credit directly reimburses volunteers for vehicle-related costs incurred while serving their communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-3044) makes it a criminal offense for a person who improperly stores a loaded firearm at their premises to be automatically liable for criminal penalties if a minor accesses it and causes injury or death. It increases penalties based on severity: a third-degree crime for bodily injury, second-degree for serious injury, and first-degree for death. The law applies to anyone in control of premises where a minor (now defined as under age 18, up from 16) gains access to an improperly stored firearm. It does not change current storage requirements (e.g., locked container, trigger lock) but escalates consequences when injury or death occurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey health care providers to use audio-only technology (like phone calls) for behavioral health care services, such as treating mild to moderate anxiety or depression, instead of requiring video. It specifically applies to these "mild to moderate" mental health conditions and excludes severe mental illness, severe emotional disorders, or substance use treatment. The law maintains all other telemedicine requirements, including provider licensing, patient record reviews, and standard of care. This change makes behavioral health telemedicine more accessible for patients without reliable video technology.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 769) creates tax credits to help residents and employers offset student loan payments. Eligible residents with an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree in STEM fields who worked in New Jersey during the tax year can claim a credit against their state income tax for qualifying student loan payments. Employers also qualify for a credit if they pay employees' student loans directly, with a 50% credit for part-time workers. The credit amount is based on a standard repayment calculation, and unused credits can carry forward for up to seven years. The bill is currently in committee (introduced January 13, 2026).

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2220) requires health care providers and insurance carriers to obtain a patient's explicit written consent before sharing their medical records related to reproductive health care services - such as pregnancy, contraception, or abortion care - unless specific exceptions apply. The law directly affects patients receiving these services, ensuring they control how their sensitive health information is used or shared. Key exceptions include medical emergencies, legal requirements (like court orders), sharing with a patient's own health care team, or disclosures to authorities investigating abuse. The bill prohibits selling, marketing, or using such records for non-treatment purposes without consent, while preserving existing federal privacy protections under HIPAA. Violations could result in $1,000 penalties per incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands an existing provision (P.L.2022, c.9) that allows police and fire chiefs in New Jersey to delay mandatory retirement from age 65 to 67. It specifically adds deputy police chiefs who were promoted to police chief within 12 months of April 12, 2022 (the effective date of P.L.2022, c.9), provided they turn 65 during the 60-month period ending in 2027. To remain in their role past 65, chiefs must have written approval from their appointing authority. The bill requires the retirement system’s Board of Trustees to report on how many chiefs were retained, their extended service duration, and impacts on the system. (Note: This bill was withdrawn as it was incorporated into P.L.2025, c.334.)

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $100,000 grant program for New Jersey municipalities to promote local innovation achievements through street pole banners. Local governments must apply with specific plans for banners highlighting bioscience, telecommunications, clean energy, or other tech fields in their area. The state will select nine municipalities (three per region, with urban/suburban/rural representation) to receive grants for developing and installing these banners. Participating towns must report on banner installations and impacts within a year, and the state will compile results to assess potential statewide expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3886) creates a pilot program allowing New Jersey's Division of Taxation to prepare simplified, pre-filled tax returns for eligible residents with straightforward tax situations. It targets NJ residents earning under $75,000 annually with income solely from W-2 wages (no self-employment), who filed simple returns in prior years. Taxpayers receive pre-filled forms by March 15 containing verified wage data and calculated tax liability, which they may choose to use or file manually without penalty. The program is voluntary, free, and aims to reduce filing complexity while requiring taxpayers to verify all information before submission.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3584) allows staff attorneys at New Jersey's Government Records Council to directly decide routine complaints about denied public records access, rather than requiring the full council to handle every case. It specifically authorizes these staff attorneys to receive, review, and issue decisions on complaints filed by individuals who were denied access to government records by a records custodian. For complex or novel cases, the full council would still convene after staff attorneys complete an initial review. This change streamlines the process for everyday complaints while preserving the council's role for more complicated disputes. The bill affects anyone seeking public records (e.g., citizens, journalists) and government agencies that deny access.