Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 774 establishes a two-year pilot program allowing public schools to set up breakfast kiosks (carts or cubicles) for students, replacing traditional cafeteria lines. The program targets three school districts (one in each region) to test increased breakfast access, requiring schools to follow federal nutrition guidelines and use existing federal funding for subsidies. It directly affects public school students - especially low-income students qualifying for free/reduced lunch - by making breakfast more accessible as students enter school. The bill mandates a report on participation rates after the pilot, focusing on how many low-income students used the service. The Department of Agriculture will administer the program and manage a dedicated fund for grants to participating schools.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A1696 updates optometrists' scope of practice by expanding their ability to provide eye care services. The bill allows optometrists to prescribe pharmaceutical agents (including controlled substances under specific conditions), administer immunizations for coronaviruses, flu, and shingles (for patients 18+), and perform minor procedures like removing superficial foreign bodies or treating chalazions. It also permits certain non-invasive laser/ultrasound treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty) using only topical anesthesia, while explicitly prohibiting invasive eye surgery, orbital procedures, or general anesthesia. These changes apply to all optometrists practicing in New Jersey and require adherence to CDC guidelines for immunizations and reporting to the state immunization registry.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), defined as reactors under 300 megawatts capacity requiring U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing. It authorizes the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use 60% of funds from the Global Warming Solutions Fund to provide grants and financial incentives for the construction and operation of SMRs. The policy directly affects commercial entities building or operating these reactors, with funding prioritizing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or energy demand. The bill establishes a concrete mechanism for state support of SMR development through EDA’s grant programs, without specifying project outcomes.
Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes pension benefits for New Jersey teachers by moving all current non-retired members of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) into a single benefit tier (previously called "Tier 1"), granting them the same retirement benefits as members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll teachers earning above minimum salary but not meeting work-hour requirements into TAPF within 60 days of enactment. Teachers in the separate Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer their service credit to TAPF for retirement eligibility (but not pension amount calculations), with contributions staying in DCRP; they may opt out within six months of notification. The bill also allows TAPF members with long-term disability insurance to apply for disability retirement within two years of enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health and the Board of Nursing to provide homemaker-home health aide and nursing assistant certification exams in multiple languages. Specifically, exams must be available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Tagalog - minimum languages specified - both in writing and orally. The law mandates these language options to help non-English speakers access certification, directly affecting individuals seeking these healthcare roles. It takes effect six months after enactment, with rules to implement the requirement developed under existing administrative procedures.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense called "fiscal victimization" for financially exploiting seniors (60+) or individuals with qualifying disabilities. It applies when someone commits, attempts, conspires to commit, or threatens theft or identity theft (N.J.S. 2C:21-17) against a person they know or should know is a senior or disabled individual. The crime carries enhanced penalties - one degree higher than the underlying offense - and requires separate sentencing for both the financial exploitation and the underlying crime. It defines "disabled" as someone with a pre-existing medical condition substantially limiting their ability to resist, including those receiving Social Security disability benefits.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. It applies to most construction projects but excludes single-family homes, routine renovations or repairs of dwelling units, and small-scale alterations (like individual units in buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit, and before receiving a certificate of occupancy, they must certify the accuracy of that information or submit updated details. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will develop specific rules within 180 days to implement these requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new entities in New Jersey: the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (within the Department of Health) and the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission. It requires hospitals, health insurers, and other healthcare providers to publicly report detailed pricing data for services like inpatient care, emergency visits, and physician services. The Commission will set annual benchmarks for healthcare cost growth and hospital pricing, monitor entities exceeding these benchmarks, and may impose public transparency requirements or civil penalties for noncompliance. These provisions directly affect all New Jersey hospitals, health insurers, and healthcare providers by mandating transparency in pricing and cost reporting to promote affordability.
Maddy summaryThis proposed bill establishes the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program to reduce financial barriers for future teachers. It provides eligible students up to $7,200 per semester for full-time clinical practice (the final teaching internship) in approved teacher preparation programs at New Jersey institutions. To qualify, students must be NJ residents enrolled full-time in an approved program and complete required steps for clinical practice. The program requires annual data collection on participants' demographics and program experiences, with funding to be appropriated annually by the legislature. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Education Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to reward employees who report tax law violations by employers in New Jersey's construction industry. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest, or up to 10% if the tip came from media or government sources. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties or planned the violations themselves, and includes protections against retaliation under New Jersey's Conscientious Employee Protection Act. The program applies specifically to employers engaged in building, construction, repair, or maintenance work as defined in the bill.