Maddy summaryNew Jersey's SCR 23 is a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass H.R.7570, which would address discharges of service members who refused mandatory COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. The bill would allow those discharged (sometimes with a "general under honorable conditions" characterization, affecting benefits and employment) to be reinstated to their previous rank and have their discharge status changed to "honorable." It directly affects military personnel separated solely for vaccine refusal, aiming to restore their service records and eligibility for benefits. New Jersey supports this action as a way to recognize military contributions and correct discharge issues stemming from the vaccination policy. This resolution is procedural and does not enact policy itself, only advocating for federal legislation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 497) suspends automatic approvals for certain municipal land use applications and allows municipalities to skip required meetings during declared emergencies. It applies when a public health emergency or state of emergency is in effect (as declared by the Governor), including for 60 days after the emergency ends. The bill directly affects municipal agencies handling land use permits, preventing default approvals they would otherwise receive under New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law during these emergencies. It also permits agencies to forgo regular meetings or hearings while emergencies are active, retroactively covering the period starting March 9, 2020.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 462) expands New Jersey's stalking protections by allowing **any victim of stalking**, regardless of age or mental capacity, to directly apply for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the alleged stalker. Currently, only parents/guardians could seek TROs for minors, developmentally disabled individuals, or those with mental conditions affecting their capacity. The bill removes these restrictions, enabling victims themselves to file for emergency TROs without needing a stalking conviction first. It also requires courts to hold a hearing within 10 days to decide whether to extend the TRO, using a preponderance-of-evidence standard. This change aims to provide faster protective measures for all stalking victims.
Maddy summaryBill S 501 requires New Jersey municipalities and school districts to annually report the amount paid to retired employees for unused sick leave (accumulated absences). The state would then reduce the following year's state aid - such as property tax relief or school funding - by that exact amount. This applies to both municipal aid programs and school district state aid, as identified in annual audits. The policy aims to prevent using state funds to cover retirement costs for unused leave accrued during employment.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's property tax law to explicitly remove tax exemption status for housing provided to school faculty. Currently, faculty housing is excluded from exemption under existing law, but this bill clarifies and strengthens that exclusion by removing it from the list of exempt properties. It would require schools to pay property tax on faculty housing units, directly affecting faculty members living in school-provided housing. The change applies to all schools and colleges covered by the tax exemption rules in R.S.54:4-3.6.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Office of Inspector General specifically for New Jersey's veterans' facilities, directly affecting veterans' care facilities, their residents, and staff. The office will investigate complaints about facility safety and care quality, conduct inspections, and refer criminal cases to prosecutors, operating without oversight from the Department of Law and Public Safety. Key provisions include the Governor appointing a qualified inspector general for a five-year term, the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, and requiring state agencies to cooperate with investigations. The office aims to ensure safety and quality in facilities serving veterans, defined as state-run nursing homes and long-term care facilities licensed for veterans' care.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 448) increases penalties for failure to report suspected abuse or exploitation of elderly people in institutional settings. It raises fines for individual staff members (like nurses or social workers) who fail to report from $500 to $1,500, and for their employing facilities from $2,500 to $5,000. The bill specifically targets those required to report under existing law - such as healthcare workers, social workers, and facility representatives - when they don’t report suspected abuse within mandated timeframes (2 hours for serious injury, 24 hours otherwise). It does not change reporting requirements or protections for reporters, only the financial penalties for noncompliance. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Health Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to create specific guidelines for placing individuals with developmental disabilities in two types of group homes: Level 1 (for minimal behavioral needs) and Level 2 (for persistent safety risks). It mandates that placement decisions must consider the individual's clinical needs, behavior frequency, and risk to others, with Level 2 reserved for those requiring intensive care due to serious safety concerns. Transfers between levels require meeting specific criteria, such as achieving behavioral goals after 18 months (for Level 2 to Level 1) or demonstrating persistent challenging behaviors (for Level 1 to Level 2). The guidelines must also ensure Level 2 homes support reintegration into less restrictive settings.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to post detailed curriculum plans online for each grade level at least 30 days before the school year begins. The plans must include units of study, learning objectives, and specific information about textbooks or materials used. School districts must also post when and where parents or legal guardians can review these materials before they are used in classrooms. The bill aims to increase transparency by making curriculum details and instructional materials accessible to families in advance. It applies to all public school districts and takes effect for the next full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who participated in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations to qualify for an accidental disability retirement allowance for specific health conditions resulting from that work. It creates a presumption that disabilities from qualifying conditions - such as respiratory illnesses, PTSD, or skin conditions - are work-related if the member worked at least eight hours at the World Trade Center site between September 11 and October 11, 2001. This presumption means members generally do not need to prove the disability was caused by their 9/11 work, unless evidence contradicts it. The bill applies to PERS members who were involved in these operations during the specified timeframe.