Asm. Mike Torrissi

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A708 requires the state Department of Education (DOE) to create model policies for public school boards to notify parents before students encounter explicit content in curriculum. It mandates school boards to provide specific parental notification about such content, identify the exact materials involved, and offer alternative non-explicit materials if parents request them. The bill defines "sexually explicit content" as depictions of sexual conduct, nudity, or similar material but explicitly states it does not require book censorship in public schools. These policies must be implemented starting the first full school year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would enter New Jersey into the Counseling Compact, an agreement allowing licensed professional counselors from New Jersey to practice in other member states without obtaining multiple licenses. The compact establishes a national commission to manage the agreement, share disciplinary information between states, and ensure counselors follow the laws of the state where their client is located. It would particularly benefit military personnel and their spouses who relocate frequently between states, as well as improve access to counseling services across state lines. Currently, 16 states have joined this compact, and New Jersey's participation would allow its licensed counselors to provide services in those states through a single license.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the state tax deduction for New Jersey residents who contribute to the NJBEST college savings program. It raises the maximum annual deduction from $10,000 to $15,000 for taxpayers with gross income under $200,000. The bill also requires annual adjustments to both the deduction limit and income threshold based on the national consumer price index. These changes apply to contributions made in taxable years starting after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes safety and housing standards for seasonal farm labor camps in New Jersey. It requires seasonal farm worker housing to meet specific rules, including having all sleeping areas on the first floor, a maximum occupancy of 50 people (increasing to 100 with proper exit doors), hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers within 50 feet, and bathroom facilities within 200 feet. The housing must also obtain an annual certificate of occupancy and prohibit cooking without compliant hoods. These standards apply exclusively to seasonal farm labor housing, defined as buildings providing lodging for workers in farm labor camps under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Emergency Services Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Health, using $10 million in federal pandemic relief funds. It provides financial assistance to volunteer fire companies and emergency medical squads (like first aid, rescue, or ambulance groups) that lost fundraising revenue due to pandemic-related mandates. The program requires applicants to submit financial records showing prior fundraising activity, with grants awarded based on that history. The Department of Health will manage applications and fund distribution until all $10 million is exhausted, after which the program ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to add a "military-connected student" identifier to its student database, defined as a dependent of active-duty military, National Guard, or reserve personnel. School districts must notify a teacher when a military-connected student enrolls in their class, allowing teachers to monitor academic engagement and provide support. The bill also mandates annual reports on these students' attendance, test scores, and graduation rates, while allowing parents to opt their child out of the notification system. It applies to all public schools in New Jersey starting after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how vacancies are filled on the board of education for limited purpose regional school districts in New Jersey. Instead of the remaining board members voting to fill a vacancy, the bill requires that a vacancy be filled by a majority vote of the board of education from the constituent district (the municipality that originally provided the former board member). This applies specifically to limited purpose regional school districts - formed by multiple municipalities for specific educational services - and does not affect other school district types. The bill amends New Jersey statutes (N.J.S.18A:12-15 and N.J.S.18A:13-11) to implement this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that disabled veterans' businesses must have their principal place of business in New Jersey to qualify for state contracts under the Set-Aside Act. It directly affects disabled veterans' businesses seeking to compete for state contracts, as they will no longer need to operate primarily within New Jersey. The key change amends the legal definition in the Set-Aside Act to eliminate the "principal place of business" clause from the eligibility criteria. This adjustment aims to expand the pool of eligible businesses, potentially helping state agencies meet their goal of awarding at least 3% of contracts to disabled veterans' businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts sales of pet food and certain pet medications from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects pet owners who purchase food or medication for their legally owned companion animals (defined as domesticated pets kept for companionship, not for business or research). The exemption covers medications recognized by state pharmacy/veterinary boards for treating pets, those affecting a pet's bodily function (excluding standard food/supplements), or prescriptions from licensed veterinarians. The exemption applies to purchases made after the first full calendar quarter following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to appropriate up to $200,000 annually from the state budget to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to help preserve military installations if the federal government proposes base realignment or closure. It mandates that any contracts with lobbyists or government affairs agents for this purpose must follow a competitive bidding process every two years. The DMVA must also submit a public annual report detailing all expenditures from these funds, including receipts and vendor information, by July 15 each year. The report will be posted on the DMVA website as a public record.