Asm. Bill Moen

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2165) allows spouses and dependent children of active-duty military service members to maintain New Jersey in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities if the service member is transferred to another state. It specifically applies to those who were already enrolled in a New Jersey public institution before the transfer and maintain continuous enrollment. The bill also extends this benefit to military dependents who attended New Jersey high school for at least three years, regardless of where they live when enrolling. These changes amend existing law (P.L.1985, c.231) to ensure military-connected students avoid sudden tuition increases due to relocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4211) designates New Jersey's Division of Fire Safety as the sole state entity authorized to apply for federal grants related to fire service training. It does not change existing training programs, as approved training may still be provided by other fire service organizations under current law. The bill requires the Division to conduct a needs assessment before applying for federal grants and clarifies that the "sole academy" designation applies only to grant eligibility, not to restricting training delivery. The bill directly affects the Division of Fire Safety, the Department of Community Affairs, and fire service training organizations seeking federal funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $10,000 matching grant program to help eligible military members buy homes in New Jersey. It directly assists U.S. Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard members who served at least 90 days in Operation Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, or Iraqi Freedom, have NJ residency, and plan to purchase a NJ primary residence. Grants cover closing costs, equity payments, or other home-buying expenses on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with no income requirements. The program, funded by a $2 million appropriation, coordinates with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and may prioritize applicants also eligible for other homebuyer programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and replaces its system with a new municipal framework for meeting affordable housing obligations. Municipalities must now determine their own "fair share" of low- and moderate-income housing through binding resolutions, using state-published calculations, while allowing advocates to contest these determinations. The law appropriates $16 million for housing programs to support new construction and rehabilitation of substandard housing, particularly in urban areas. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and low-to-moderate-income residents seeking housing, ending regional contribution agreements and establishing clearer deadlines to prevent previous compliance gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of practice for optometrists in New Jersey by allowing them to prescribe more pharmaceutical agents (including some controlled substances), administer certain immunizations (for coronaviruses, influenza, and varicella-zoster virus), and perform simple ophthalmologic procedures like non-invasive laser treatments. It clarifies that optometrists must complete specific training and credentialing to provide these expanded services, including evidence of competence through accredited education programs. The bill directly affects licensed optometrists in New Jersey and their patients, who will have access to a broader range of eye care services from optometrists. The legislation updates the legal definition of optometry practice to better align with optometrists' doctoral education and clinical training.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create and maintain a Statewide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Plan. The plan must include a comprehensive system for coordinating EMS resources, improving response times, expanding access to care (especially in underserved areas), and establishing performance metrics for measuring outcomes. It mandates the DOH to inventory existing EMS resources, assess current system effectiveness, develop regional plans with county health boards, and update the plan every three years - making it publicly available online. The plan directly affects all EMS providers, hospitals, and emergency dispatch centers across New Jersey, aiming to enhance patient outcomes and system efficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's "Dry Cell Battery Management Act" to expand the types of batteries covered under the law. It defines "covered batteries" as any rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery weighing up to 25 pounds or storing up to 2000 watt-hours of energy, whether embedded in products or sold separately. Manufacturers must submit "battery management plans" to the Department of Environmental Protection within nine months of enactment, including requirements for collection sites (at least one permanent site for portable batteries within 15 miles of 95% of residents, and within 25 miles of all residents, plus one site per county for medium format batteries). The bill also prohibits curbside recycling for covered batteries and removes requirements for retailers to accept used batteries or post specific signage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded program to reimburse county governments for providing transportation services to disabled veterans traveling to medical appointments for service-connected conditions. It appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to support this initiative. The program directly affects disabled veterans who are honorably discharged from military service and certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration as having service-connected disabilities. Counties that provide transportation services to these veterans can receive state reimbursement, reducing out-of-pocket costs for veterans needing medical care. The bill amends existing law to create this specific reimbursement mechanism for county transportation services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Imagination Library Project within the state's Department of Education, providing free monthly age-appropriate books to children under five years old residing in New Jersey. It appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to create a dedicated "New Jersey Imagination Library Fund," which will support the program through partnerships with national or state-based early literacy organizations (like Dolly Parton's existing Imagination Library). The program requires partner organizations to contribute at least 50% of the program costs, while the Department of Education oversees enrollment, partnerships with school districts, and public awareness campaigns. The initiative directly affects eligible children and families by delivering books at no cost, aiming to foster early childhood literacy statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Rail Passenger Bill of Rights for people traveling on passenger trains operating on regularly scheduled routes within New Jersey or between New Jersey and other states. It requires train operators to provide reliable on-time service, clear delay notifications via multiple channels, clean and safe trains/stations, courteous staff, and alternate transportation during major disruptions - while mandating advance notice for fare hikes or service changes. The Division of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection will enforce these rules by investigating complaints, seeking settlements, and referring unresolved cases to the Attorney General for civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.