Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for undergraduate students who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients and reside in New Jersey. To qualify, recipients must be enrolled full-time (up to 16 credits per semester), have applied for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and maintain good academic standing. The waiver applies for up to eight semesters of study. It does not cover non-tuition costs like housing or books, and institutions determine eligibility documentation.

Maddy summaryACR 36 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $500 annually, phased in over five years (reaching $500 by 2027). It directly affects honorably discharged veterans and surviving spouses who meet residency requirements. The amendment would adjust the deduction amount incrementally: $300 in 2023, $350 in 2024, $400 in 2025, $450 in 2026, and $500 starting in 2027. This change would replace the current $250 deduction, which has not been raised since 1999. The proposal requires voter approval via referendum after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.5 million from the state General Fund to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation to expand its memorial and Vietnam Era Museum. It provides $500,000 immediately for the expansion project and $2 million to a dedicated memorial fund, with annual $500,000 payments starting in the next fiscal year. The funds are specifically designated for physical expansion of the memorial site and museum facilities. The legislation directly affects the foundation and its ability to enhance the existing memorial and museum, which serves as New Jersey's only museum dedicated to preserving Vietnam War history.

Maddy summaryThe "Improved Suicide Prevention, Response, and Treatment Act" (A1536) requires psychiatric facilities, outpatient mental health providers, and suicide hotlines in New Jersey to maintain 24/7 access to trained suicide prevention counselors who conduct standardized risk assessments and provide ongoing counseling to at-risk patients. The bill mandates "warm hand-offs" to appropriate care during transitions, requires law enforcement officers to complete annual suicide response training focused on de-escalation, and requires health insurance to cover suicide prevention assessments and counseling services. It prohibits discharging at-risk patients into homelessness or having them arrested unless they pose an uncontrollable risk to others. The law aims to improve coordinated care for people experiencing suicidal crises across health, emergency, and law enforcement systems through standardized protocols and accountability measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits candidates from being nominated for more than one elective office in the same primary or general election. It amends New Jersey law to prevent candidates from accepting nominations for multiple offices during a single election cycle, including both primary and general elections. The law also requires the Secretary of State to certify candidates for only one office per election, ensuring no individual appears on ballots for multiple positions simultaneously. This change directly affects candidates seeking multiple offices in the same election, such as running for both state assembly and senate seats in the same election.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1339 prohibits the online posting or publication of personal identifying information - including home addresses and photos - about judicial officers (federal, state, or local judges) and their immediate family members, unless done with intent to harass or risk harm. It makes reckless violations a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine) and purposeful violations a third-degree crime (3-5 years in jail or $15,000 fine). The bill also allows victims to sue for $1,000 per violation plus damages, attorney fees, and other relief, and requires government agencies to get written permission before publishing such information online. This directly affects judges, their families, and anyone sharing their personal details online with harmful intent.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program, providing financial aid to eligible veterans attending public colleges and universities in New Jersey. It covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to 18 credits per semester after other grants and scholarships are applied, with public institutions waiving any remaining balance if the grant is insufficient. To qualify, veterans must have served at least one year in active duty (including National Guard or Reserves), received an honorable discharge, reside in New Jersey, apply for other aid first, and maintain good academic standing. The program is administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to reopen all state unemployment offices by March 1, 2022, and keep them open during public health emergencies. It mandates that DOLWD leadership (including the commissioner) face salary reductions (5% every two weeks for the first month, then 10% monthly) if offices remain closed past the deadline. The bill creates a "Unemployed Workers Compensation Fund" to collect these reduced salaries. It directly affects unemployed New Jersey residents needing access to unemployment services and DOLWD staff responsible for office operations. The measure expires once all offices are reopened.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey Talent Retention Loan and Loan Redemption Program that offers students attending colleges in New Jersey loans (up to $40,000 for bachelor's degrees) that can be partially forgiven based on employment with participating companies. Companies contributing to the program's fund receive tax credits equal to 50% of their contribution in the year of contribution, plus an additional 50% over time as long as they employ the student. To qualify, students must be New Jersey residents who graduated from a New Jersey high school, maintain good academic standing, and agree to work for a participating company for up to four years after graduation. The program aims to keep college graduates in New Jersey by linking financial aid to local employment opportunities with companies that fund the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a one-time $10,000 deduction from gross income for certain New Jersey taxpayers filing for the 2020 tax year. It directly affects married couples filing jointly, heads of household, and surviving spouses with taxable income under $250,000, as well as single filers, married filing separately, and estates/trusts with taxable income under $125,000. The deduction is applied in addition to existing personal exemptions and is available only for the 2020 tax year. The bill aims to offer tax relief to lower-to-moderate income households following the pandemic.