Asm. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2817) would allow staff attorneys at New Jersey's Government Records Council to directly handle certain government records complaints that previously required full council review. Currently, the council itself must process all complaints, contributing to a backlog of unresolved cases. Under this bill, staff attorneys would adjudicate routine complaints, with decisions appealable to the council, potentially speeding up resolution times for requesters. The change responds to a 2022 recommendation by the Office of the State Comptroller that the council use staff attorneys to process complaints more efficiently. The bill does not alter the process for appealing council decisions to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 20% refundable gross income tax credit for New Jersey taxpayers with gross income under $150,000 who are permanently disabled or age 65+. It applies to expenses paid to a registered health care service firm for in-home companion, health care, or personal care services provided at the taxpayer's residence. The credit excludes expenses reimbursed by insurance and is applied after other tax credits. It directly affects low-to-moderate income seniors and disabled residents needing in-home care support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most residential landlords in New Jersey to provide a written or email receipt for each cash rent payment made by a tenant. It expands the requirement to cover all landlords renting properties for at least one month (excluding hotels, motels, or transient housing), removing previous exemptions for small landlords like those managing two-unit properties or owner-occupied homes with three units. The receipt must include the payment amount, date, purpose, and names of both landlord and tenant. Landlords who fail to comply face escalating penalties starting at $100 per violation, with higher fines for repeat offenses within five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, purchase, use, and application of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to health risks including neurological and developmental issues, throughout New Jersey. It directly affects agricultural producers, commercial pest control businesses, and other users who currently rely on this chemical under its existing restricted-use designation. The bill amends state law to explicitly ban chlorpyrifos, overriding current allowances for certified applicators. The prohibition will take effect seven months after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey government entities - including municipalities, counties, school districts, and state agencies - to conduct an internal review of their cybersecurity systems. Each entity must evaluate current system security, identify high-risk issues, propose modernization strategies for networks and software, and suggest policy changes. The head of each entity must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 45 days of the bill's effective date. It does not create new cybersecurity standards but mandates systematic reviews across all government levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey taxpayers to exclude certain retirement plan contributions from their state gross income tax. It applies to contributions made to 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs, qualified pension plans, government deferred compensation plans (457 plans), and the federal Thrift Savings Fund. These contributions would be taxed upon withdrawal rather than at the time of contribution, effectively reducing taxable income for eligible taxpayers in the year they make contributions. The change would apply to contributions made in taxable years beginning January 1 following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey public school to employ at least one full-time school psychologist, with a maximum student-to-psychologist ratio of 500:1 per school. It directly affects all local school districts and their students by mandating specific staffing levels for school psychologists. Districts must apply for federal funds to support implementation, and the requirement takes effect in the second full school year after enactment. The bill defines "school psychologist" as a licensed professional with a New Jersey educational services certificate in that field.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of pre-1987 residential buildings with three or more units, schools, and licensed child care centers to test drinking water for lead every three years. Testing must be done by certified labs, with at least one sample per occupied unit (or random sampling for buildings over 10 units). If lead levels exceed EPA standards, owners must notify tenants, parents, staff, and local health officials, and schools/child care centers must post results online. The law applies to all qualifying properties, with existing testing requirements exempting some properties under prior law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living residences) to meet annually with each resident and their family to review emergency contact details on file. It also mandates that facilities offer residents the opportunity to update their primary and secondary emergency contacts at least twice yearly. The law applies to all facilities licensed under state law and aligns with existing privacy regulations. Facilities must follow these steps to ensure contact information remains current for resident safety during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows health care providers to deliver behavioral health care services via telemedicine using only audio technology (like phone calls), rather than requiring video or interactive video technology. It specifically applies to treatment for mental illness or emotional disorders of mild to moderate severity, excluding severe conditions and substance use disorders. The change modifies existing telemedicine regulations that previously required interactive, real-time, two-way communication for all telemedicine services. This makes it easier for patients in areas with limited internet access or for those who prefer phone consultations to access behavioral health care. The bill does not change the standard of care or require in-person visits for these services.