Asm. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2815) establishes a program where groups of nonpublic schools (consortia) take over transportation responsibilities for students who are legally required to receive school bus service from public school districts. Under the program, participating school districts would pay consortia the current aid-in-lieu transportation rate ($1,022 per student) for mandated transportation, and the consortia would assume all transportation duties for those students. Consortia may also offer optional transportation for other students at parental cost (capped at $1,022), and must refund unused funds to districts based on actual student usage. The program requires annual audits, an oversight committee, and takes effect immediately for the 2023-2024 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1481) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish standardized testing methods and reporting requirements for microplastics in drinking water by public water systems within one year. It mandates a two-year study by the DEP and Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to evaluate microplastics removal technologies, including costs, effectiveness, and stakeholder input from scientists, industry, and the public. The study must result in a strategic plan and public report within three months of completion, recommending how to promote these technologies. The bill directly affects public water systems, which must test and disclose microplastic levels, and aims to inform future policy through evidence-based recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to expand or modify routes and hours for its motorbus, paratransit, and rail services - including light rail - within one year of the bill's effective date to better serve people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. NJT must first seek input from autistic individuals and their advocates before making any changes. The bill also mandates annual consultations with these stakeholders to assess whether current service hours and routes adequately meet mobility needs and whether further adjustments are needed. It directly affects NJT’s service planning and autistic riders in New Jersey. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to reimburse residential customers for spoiled food or prescription medicine and business customers for spoiled perishable goods resulting from power outages lasting more than 72 hours after a major storm or natural disaster. Customers must submit claims with proof like receipts or photos of spoiled items. Utilities must create online claim systems within 90 days of the law taking effect. The reimbursement covers actual costs directly tied to the outage, as defined by the Board of Public Utilities. (Bill A2339)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey hospitals treating breast cancer patients to provide written notice about their rights to consult with and receive reconstructive surgery from a board-certified plastic surgeon of their choice, regardless of the surgeon's hospital or insurance network affiliation. The notice must be given when the patient is diagnosed with breast cancer and before they consent to surgery, including information about coverage under state and federal laws. It also prohibits insurance plans from including contract terms that block doctors from recommending outside-network plastic surgeons based on patient needs or deny coverage solely because the surgeon isn't in-network. The law applies to surgeries following treatments like mastectomy, lumpectomy, or radiation for breast cancer, the breast cancer gene, or other breast abnormalities.

Maddy summaryACR 72 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey to create a $200 property tax credit for the primary residence of volunteer firefighters and first aid squad members. This credit would apply to residents who are active members of qualifying volunteer fire companies, first aid/rescue squads, or part-paid fire departments incorporated under New Jersey law. The amendment mandates that the state, not municipalities, would reimburse local governments for the full cost of these credits. If approved by voters, this would become a constitutional requirement for the Legislature to enact the credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in seven New Jersey counties (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, and Union) and major cities to prevent school violence. It trains school staff, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and students to identify and report concerning behaviors using a new threat assessment tool and a science-based training curriculum. The program requires immediate threat reporting mechanisms and annual evaluations by the Attorney General, who must recommend to the legislature whether to expand it statewide. Funding for the initiative will come from the state general fund.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges public and nonpublic schools to annually invite parents to observe a school security drill. It addresses parental concerns about anxiety caused by unannounced monthly drills, which are required by current law (N.J.S.18A:41-1). By allowing parents to witness a drill, schools can help them understand procedures and the purpose of these exercises in preparing students and staff for emergencies. The resolution does not mandate this practice but encourages schools to offer this transparency to build trust and alleviate worries, particularly for younger students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide equivalent scholarships to student-athletes who lose their athletic scholarships due to serious injuries sustained while participating in intercollegiate sports. If a student-athlete is medically deemed unable to continue competing because of an injury directly related to their sport, the institution must offer a scholarship equal to the lost athletic award. The new scholarship, combined with any prior athletic scholarships, must cover up to five academic years or until the student completes their undergraduate degree - whichever comes first. Public institutions may choose to provide additional years beyond this limit, but are not required to do so.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2816) allows New Jersey's Government Records Council (GRC) to use annual state funds to hire staff attorneys exclusively for handling public records complaints. It directly affects the GRC, which adjudicates disputes when government agencies deny public access to records, and the public who file such complaints. The key provision authorizes the GRC to employ these attorneys to review, hear, and resolve complaints about denied record access, addressing a backlog noted in a state comptroller report. The bill also requires the GRC to consider resource needs when requesting its annual budget.