Rep. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that medication be administered only by a registered nurse or a certified medication aide working under a nurse's supervision in licensed residential programs and day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. It mandates that parents or legal guardians provide detailed medical documentation with specific medication instructions and dosages before admission and whenever a medication or dosage is changed. The legislation also authorizes the Department of Human Services to create rules necessary to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus drivers, aides, and other personnel transporting students with disabilities to complete specialized training. The training covers behavior management, communication, adaptive equipment use, recognizing life-threatening emergencies (as defined in the bill), and safety procedures. Employers (school districts or contractors) must provide this training annually and require staff to certify completion within five business days. The bill does not mandate 911 calls or specific bus safety features, but focuses on personnel preparedness through training and certification. It is pending before the Assembly Education Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds one representative from the Judicial Retirement System (JRS) to New Jersey's State Investment Council, increasing its membership from 15 to 16 members. Specifically, it requires the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court to designate a JRS board member to serve on the council. The council manages state pension investments, including funds for judicial retirees, and this change ensures JRS has direct representation in investment policy decisions. The bill amends existing law to formalize this new membership position without altering the council's core responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax incentives for historic diners and restaurants in New Jersey that meet specific criteria. To qualify, establishments must have operated continuously for at least 25 years (including pandemic closures), qualify as small businesses, comply with health/safety rules, and be family-owned. Approved businesses receive a sales tax exemption on prepared food and beverages for on-site consumption and corporation business/gross income tax credits. The program requires annual registration through a state registry established by the Division of Travel and Tourism, with applications reviewed and approved by the Director.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4478) allows residents to deduct certain health club expenses from their gross income tax. It permits a maximum annual deduction of $5,000 for married couples filing jointly, heads of household, or surviving spouses, and $2,500 for other filers, covering membership fees, initiation costs, and personal training at qualifying fitness facilities. Expenses like spa services, food, childcare, or employer-paid costs are excluded, and the deduction does not apply if the employer covers the expense. The bill defines a "health club" as an establishment where at least 40% of space is dedicated to fitness services, aligning with existing state regulations. It takes effect immediately for taxable years starting after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus drivers and personnel to call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies involving students. It mandates that school buses transporting students with disabilities be equipped with specific safety features (though exact features aren't detailed in the text). The bill also requires annual safety training for all bus personnel, including emergency procedures and recognizing signs of life-threatening situations for students with disabilities. Funding for these requirements is included through an appropriation. The bill directly affects school bus operators, drivers, aides, and students with disabilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet from school buses loading/unloading children or individuals with developmental disabilities on undivided highways, and to slow to 10 mph on divided highways. It establishes that violations captured by school bus monitoring systems (like cameras) will result in a $300 civil penalty instead of criminal charges or license points. The law directly affects drivers near school buses, school bus operators, and enforcement agencies. Key provisions include standardized stopping distances, speed limits for divided highways, and shifting penalties for monitored violations to a civil fine system. This changes enforcement by prioritizing evidence from monitoring systems to reduce penalties for documented violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fourth-degree crime for using GPS or location tracking devices to monitor a vehicle with the intent to commit an unlawful act (such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or vehicle theft). It directly affects individuals who misuse tracking technology to harass or threaten others. The key provision mandates a minimum 5-year prison sentence for this offense - replacing the standard penalty of up to 18 months - under New Jersey’s sentencing law for fourth-degree crimes. This change applies to any tracking device used with unlawful intent, regardless of the specific crime involved. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary child care reimbursement program within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF), funded by $500,000 from federal CARES Act funds. It directly helps employed parents or guardians who need to enroll children in licensed child care due to school closures or remote learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible families can apply to DCF for reimbursement of child care tuition costs, with the commissioner setting selection criteria and distributing funds based on available funding. The program expires when the state's declared COVID-19 public health emergency ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect a crime. It targets individuals who submit false reports under New Jersey's child abuse reporting law, imposing a third-degree criminal penalty (up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) and adding a separate civil penalty of up to $10,000. The civil penalty funds the Department of Children and Families. The law applies immediately upon enactment and directly affects people who file false reports, not the victims or reporting systems.