Asm. Chris Tully

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 bill increases paid military leave for New Jersey public employees who serve in U.S. Reserve components (including National Guard from other states). It raises the annual paid leave entitlement from 30 to 90 work days for state, county, school district, and municipal employees who are Reserve members on federal active duty. Leave exceeding 90 days would be unpaid but without loss of job seniority. The state will reimburse local employers for costs incurred under this change upon approval by the Division of Budget and Accounting. The change aligns public employee benefits with the existing 90-day paid leave standard for New Jersey National Guard members.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2348) requires all official general election and primary election sample ballots to include a clear watermark identifying them as samples. It mandates that sample ballots must also display the exact wording: "This ballot cannot be voted. It is a sample copy of the official general election ballot used on election day" in large type at the top. The bill applies to all voters receiving sample ballots, ensuring they cannot be mistakenly submitted as actual votes. It amends existing election law to add these specific visual and textual identifiers to prevent confusion during voting.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts (S.A.F.E.) within New Jersey's State Office of Emergency Management. The office would analyze risks and impacts of a widespread technology failure (like a major outage affecting communication, medical services, or transportation), develop response plans for essential services, and provide quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature. It would also research technological dependencies, hold public hearings, and create public guides on preparing for such events. The bill directly affects state emergency management operations and planning, not individual citizens or private entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to automatically enroll eligible full-time employees in the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). It directs the Department of Education to match state employment data with federal loan records to identify qualifying employees, then share that information with relevant agencies. Agencies must enroll employees at hire and transfer PSLF enrollment details when employees move between state agencies. The law applies specifically to state employees who meet federal PSLF criteria (like working full-time for a public employer while making qualifying loan payments).

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a residency requirement for businesses owned by veterans or disabled veterans in New Jersey. Currently, owners must be New Jersey residents to qualify for state contracts as veteran-owned businesses. The change applies only to small and medium-sized businesses (as defined by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority) and allows owners living in other states to qualify if their business has its principal place in New Jersey. It does not alter the existing 51% ownership requirement by veterans or disabled veterans. This update enables more veteran-owned businesses to compete for state contracts without requiring the owner to reside in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey state program requiring contracting agencies (like state departments and authorities) to set annual procurement goals for awarding contracts to certified socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprises (SEDBEs). It defines SEDBEs as businesses owned by individuals who meet specific criteria for both social disadvantage (e.g., racial minority status, disability, gender identity, or location in high-poverty areas) and economic disadvantage (e.g., limited capital/credit access and net worth below a set threshold). The program mandates agencies to develop annual plans to meet these goals, use certified SEDBEs for prime contracts or subcontracts where feasible, and submit reports tracking contract awards and outreach efforts. The goal is to increase SEDBE participation in state procurement for construction, professional services, goods, and IT, without altering existing set-aside programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Train the Trainer Program for Student Wellbeing within New Jersey's Department of Education, appropriating $1 million from the General Fund. It requires the Department to develop training that educates selected participants to teach public school staff about student behavioral and mental health, covering trauma-informed approaches, recognizing mental health challenges, restorative practices, social-emotional health, bystander intervention, and crisis de-escalation. School districts are not required to participate, and the program must be evaluated annually with a full report to the Governor and Legislature after three years. The program will provide evidence-based training to help schools address student mental health needs through staff education.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Training Clinicians to Support Adults with Autism Workforce Development Program" at Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services, directly affecting adults with autism in New Jersey and future clinicians. It requires the program to recruit 8-10 students annually from diverse disciplines (e.g., psychology, social work, education) for 20-40 hours of weekly training, including hands-on clinical experience, academic coursework, research collaboration, and a capstone project. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the state’s General Fund to fund the program’s implementation. The initiative aims to expand the workforce supporting adults with autism by developing trained professionals through structured education and practical experience.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires NJ Transit to provide at least two weeks' notice before routine maintenance or significant service reductions (like major route closures or rail line disruptions). The notice must be delivered in writing to affected municipalities, schools, and institutions; posted at transit facilities; sent via NJ Transit's mobile app; and included on their website, with details on alternative transit options. This applies to all rail lines, light rail lines, and motorbus routes, and requires ongoing updates until service resumes. The law aims to improve rider transparency without changing NJ Transit's service policies.