Rep. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to use the Basic Screening Survey (developed by dental directors' associations) to assess oral health in pre-school and school-aged children across all counties. It mandates biannual collection of random data samples from each county, with parental consent required for any data collection, and requires all data to comply with privacy laws. The Department must submit biennial reports to the Governor and Legislature containing findings and recommendations based on this data. The survey is designed to identify major oral health issues through basic screenings - not clinical diagnoses - and applies directly to children in New Jersey public health assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to cancel all classes on election days when a public school serves as a polling place. Instead, school boards may use the day for staff training or professional development. The law aims to improve student safety by preventing large crowds of voters from entering school buildings during elections. It applies immediately, first affecting the November 2021 general election. The bill does not change voting procedures but modifies school operations on election days.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. It provides a proportional exemption based on disability percentage (up to 100%), covering veterans with conditions like paralysis, amputations, or total blindness, and caps partial exemptions at $10,000. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans or those who died in service also qualify for similar exemptions. Crucially, the state will reimburse municipalities 102% of the lost tax revenue from these exemptions to offset costs. The law amends existing veteran property tax protections under P.L.1948, c.259.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios, such as 1 nurse per 4 patients on medical/surgical units and 1 nurse per 2 patients in critical care, along with unlicensed staff ratios (1 per 7 patients during day shifts). Hospitals must implement an acuity-based staffing system approved by the health department to adjust staffing based on patient needs and unit conditions. The law aims to ensure safe staffing levels without reducing existing standards, directly affecting healthcare facilities and patient safety.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill provides a 20% refundable tax credit for eligible residents who pay for in-home care services through a health care service firm. It directly affects taxpayers with gross income under $150,000 who are permanently disabled or age 65+, covering expenses for companion services (non-medical supervision/socialization), health care services (non-licensed), or personal care services (assisting with daily activities like bathing or dressing). The credit excludes insurance-reimbursed costs and applies against income tax after other credits. It takes effect for taxable years starting after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a loan program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to help beginning farmers purchase essential assets. It directly affects new or limited-experience farmers (defined as those with ≤10 years of farming in NJ, low/moderate net worth, or first-time farmers under federal rules) who need capital for agricultural land, farm buildings, or equipment. The program requires applicants to prove farming experience, residency, and plan to use loans solely for farming activities, with NJEDA setting interest rates and eligibility criteria. Loans must finance purchases within New Jersey, and NJEDA may require financial reviews to ensure borrower viability.

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, when power is out for more than 72 hours after a major storm or natural disaster. To qualify, customers must submit proof like receipts or photos of the spoiled items and file claims through an online system the utility must create within 90 days. The reimbursement covers the actual cost of items lost due to lack of refrigeration during the outage, as defined by the bill. It applies only to extended outages caused by events beyond the utility’s control, such as storms or floods.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete mandatory training on identifying machine gun conversion devices and related components used to modify standard firearms. It directly affects every officer employed by state or local law enforcement agencies, as this training becomes a condition for continued employment or appointment. The bill amends existing law by adding specific content to required continuing education, focusing on recognizing devices that convert semiautomatic guns to fire multiple shots per trigger pull. The training must be approved by the Police Training Commission and documented by officers and their agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows eligible New Jersey educators (K-12 teachers, counselors, principals) and paraprofessionals (school aides) to deduct up to $250 of unreimbursed classroom supply expenses from their gross income tax. It covers costs like books, computers, software, and classroom materials, but excludes nonathletic supplies for health or physical education classes. To qualify, individuals must work at least 900 hours annually in a New Jersey public or private elementary/secondary school. The deduction applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires producers of firefighting gear containing intentionally added PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to provide written notice to purchasers one year after the law takes effect. The notice must specify which PFAS chemicals are present, why they were added, and their chemical names. Beginning two years after the law takes effect, the bill prohibits selling, manufacturing, or distributing such firefighting gear in New Jersey, with exceptions for non-clothing items like breathing apparatuses until 2032. The law directly affects firefighting equipment manufacturers, sellers, and fire departments purchasing this gear, with violations subject to fines up to $20,000.