Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create a policy allowing students to withdraw for serious personal issues (like illness, injury, hospitalization, or mental health needs) and receive a refund. It mandates that institutions define "extenuating circumstances" to include these specific health-related situations and establish clear criteria for determining when a student's education is hindered. The policy must refund tuition and fees for the semester of withdrawal if the circumstances prevented learning, and also provide refunds for unused housing or meal plan charges. Refunds for students receiving financial aid or state aid will follow existing federal and state refund regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act," allowing property owners to transfer real estate (like homes or land) to named beneficiaries upon their death without probate. Owners aged 18+ can create a "transfer on death deed" that must be recorded before their death, is revocable anytime during their life (without beneficiary consent), and requires no payment or acceptance from the beneficiary. The property automatically transfers to the beneficiary after the owner's death, but the owner retains full control during their lifetime - including the right to sell, mortgage, or change the deed. The law ensures the deed doesn’t affect the owner’s ability to manage the property, the beneficiary’s public assistance eligibility, or creditors’ claims against the owner’s estate.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to specifically include Sikhism as a protected class, making it illegal to commit hate crimes against Sikhs based on their religious identity. It appropriates $100,000 annually for three years to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives, including law enforcement training on Sikh identity features like turbans and religious symbols to prevent misclassification of hate incidents. The bill requires the Office of Attorney General to develop public awareness campaigns and educational programs about Sikhism for public schools, and mandates that all public entities incorporate anti-Sikh hate into their bias intimidation policies and diversity programs. These changes directly affect Sikhs in New Jersey (who are the second-most targeted religious group for hate crimes) and all public institutions across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Water Infrastructure Center at a state-designated college or university, appropriating $5 million from the General Fund for its creation and operations. The center will collect and share water system data through an online dashboard, fund research on water infrastructure challenges, and foster collaboration between water utilities, researchers, and communities. It directly affects all New Jersey residents by aiming to improve water system reliability, affordability, and climate resilience through data-driven solutions. The center must report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its programs and impact on water systems statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to hire certain teachers without requiring them to live in the state immediately, by creating a two-year residency timeline. It directly affects school districts struggling to fill teaching vacancies and the teachers they hire under this exemption. School districts must prove they advertised the position for six months, tried to hire local teachers, and document the candidate's certification before requesting an exemption. Teachers hired through this process must establish New Jersey residency within two years of starting, or the district must terminate their employment and re-advertise the position.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's restrictions on physical restraint and seclusion in schools to cover all students, not just those with disabilities. It requires schools to immediately notify parents by phone or email when these techniques are used and provide a written report within 48 hours. The Department of Education must annually collect and publish data on restraint and seclusion use, disaggregated by county, race, gender, and age, to promote transparency and accountability. These changes apply to all public school districts and educational services commissions across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access to State-owned lakes where boating is permitted, either by building access points or through long-term contracts with private marinas (subject to public bidding). It appropriates $2 million from the state's General Fund to fund these access improvements. The DEP must complete the access points within two years of the bill's enactment. If access cannot be provided due to funding shortages, the DEP must report to the Governor and Legislature, detailing the required funding.

Maddy summaryThe "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act" (A4483) requires health insurance plans, Medicaid, and the State Health Benefits Program to cover cancer treatments administered through IV or other non-digestive system methods, along with survivorship care plans for patients with Stage III, IV, or terminal cancer, with no cost-sharing required. The bill prohibits mortgage lenders from initiating foreclosure actions and creditors from starting collection proceedings against cancer patients undergoing treatment, requiring dismissal of such actions upon physician certification. Additionally, it provides up to 45 days' eviction protection for tenants with cancer who submit physician certification, and extends employment protections for cancer patients taking disability leave. This legislation directly affects cancer patients in New Jersey who are receiving treatment for advanced stages of cancer, ensuring they face fewer financial barriers during their treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Jersey Vines Program" within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote wine produced in the state using locally grown ingredients. It directly affects wineries and farm wineries licensed in New Jersey that cultivate grapes, fruits, or other ingredients within the state. The program will increase consumer awareness through advertising campaigns, share information about local wine varieties and producers, and create a "Jersey Vines" labeling system similar to the existing "Jersey Fresh" program. The Department of Agriculture must develop rules to implement these provisions, with the program taking effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $10,000 annual salary threshold that previously applied to retired Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) members returning to teaching positions at public institutions of higher education. Under current law, retirees in these roles had to earn over $10,000 annually to avoid having their retirement benefits canceled and re-enrolled in the system. The bill removes this salary reference entirely, meaning retired teachers returning to such positions will automatically retain their retirement benefits regardless of their new salary. It directly affects retired PERS members employed in teaching staff roles at public colleges or universities. The change aligns with legislative intent to simplify the policy, as the $10,000 threshold was deemed outdated.