Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Safe Haven Homeless Housing Program to fund renovations of underused buildings (like vacant malls, hotels, or office parks) into housing for homeless individuals and families with very low incomes (earning ≤30% of area median income). It appropriates $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide low-interest loans to qualified developers for these renovations, with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency administering the program. The housing must include supportive services to help residents transition to stable housing, either as temporary transitional housing (up to 24 months) or permanent supportive housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's unemployment rules for workers who leave a job for another that later falls through. It extends the acceptable time window from 7 to 10 days for workers to accept a new job without losing benefits if the offer is rescinded through no fault of their own. Workers qualify for benefits if the new job's pay or hours match their previous position, and they left for a job starting within 10 days. The rule also adjusts the timeline if an employer terminates them early, starting the 10-day period from the planned departure date.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases the annual income limit for seniors (65+) and disabled residents to qualify for a $250 property tax deduction. It raises the limit from $10,000 to $20,000 for 2014 and onward, with future limits automatically adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account for inflation. The deduction amount itself remains fixed at $250 annually, and the bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before taking effect. This change directly affects eligible homeowners aged 65+ or disabled residents with incomes up to the new adjusted limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the annual audit process for New Jersey school districts, directly affecting school boards, public school accountants, and the Commissioner of Education. It extends the deadline for completing annual audits for the 2024-2025 school year (similar to prior extensions for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024), requiring school districts to make financial records available by July 1 annually. The bill grants the Commissioner flexibility to allow delayed submissions when districts face hardship due to missing information from state, federal, or other entities, permitting partial audits with plans to update later. It also directs the Commissioner to evaluate process improvements for earlier data collection within two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $1 million to fund confidential mental health services. It directly affects full-time firefighters and their immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living in the same household) who are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers, requiring the Commissioner of Human Services to develop application processes, prioritize providers within one hour of travel distance for patients, and maintain an online list of approved providers. The grant funding aims to overcome barriers preventing firefighters from seeking help due to fears of professional repercussions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a five-year assessment of unregulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. It specifically mandates the DEP to evaluate whether current drinking water standards adequately protect children (considering their smaller body size and higher water intake relative to weight) and determine if new standards are needed for unregulated PFAS. The DEP must submit written reports of these assessments to the Governor and Legislature, and publish them online. The bill is pending before the Assembly Environment Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals aged 18 or older, emancipated minors, or their authorized representatives to create a voluntary nonopioid directive, stating opioids should not be administered or prescribed for them. The directive must be completed using a form developed by the New Jersey Department of Health and entered into the patient's electronic health record. Healthcare providers are protected from disciplinary action or liability if they comply with the directive in good faith, though opioids may still be prescribed if medically necessary. The bill also requires the Department of Health to publicize the program and allows the directive to be revoked anytime.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow temporary state employees at psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities to qualify for accidental disability benefits. It specifically covers injuries sustained after January 2003 while working temporarily at these facilities (before becoming a PERS member), making such injuries eligible for PERS benefits once the employee gains membership. The key change deems these pre-membership injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee joins PERS without interruption in the same job. This expands eligibility beyond current rules, which only provided workers' compensation for such injuries before PERS membership.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create three new teaching certifications: 1) A "Students with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12" endorsement (excluding blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing students), allowing teachers to instruct all students with disabilities across all grade levels without separate endorsements. 2) A "Kindergarten through Grade 8" endorsement enabling teachers to instruct grades K-6 and specialty subjects in grades 7-8. 3) A "Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12" endorsement requiring language proficiency and coursework, replacing current requirements that needed separate subject/grade endorsements. These changes primarily affect current and prospective teachers seeking certification in special education, elementary/middle school, and bilingual education, streamlining their qualifications for New Jersey public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Second Chance Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The program provides career opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals by partnering with labor organizations to identify and create employment pathways in local trades. It directly affects people recently released from prison who face significant barriers to stable work. The key mechanism requires labor organizations - defined as per federal law - to collaborate with the state in developing job placement plans, aiming to reduce recidivism through meaningful employment. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.