Sen. Owen Henry

Maddy summaryS 4759 expands New Jersey's "Nonprofit Security Grant Program" to help nonprofits at high risk of terrorism, domestic extremism, or violent attacks. It increases maximum grant amounts from $10,000 to $50,000 for security personnel or training/planning, and from $50,000 to $150,000 for physical security equipment (like reinforced doors or surveillance systems). The bill also requires the state to annually request $10 million in funding (up from $2 million) and prioritizes organizations that haven’t received recent federal or state security grants. This applies directly to eligible nonprofits - primarily religious and community organizations - within New Jersey seeking security investments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to allow home-schooled students to join school-sponsored extracurricular activities - such as sports, clubs, and theater - in their district of residence, on the same terms as enrolled students. To participate, home-schooled students must prove residency, meet activity-specific eligibility and tryout standards, and follow district rules. For interscholastic sports, students must demonstrate they did not switch to homeschooling solely for athletic advantage, and districts must provide access to required physical exams if offered to enrolled students. The law applies immediately to all qualifying school districts.

Maddy summarySCR 136 proposes a constitutional amendment to prevent New Jersey governments from using eminent domain (government taking private property for public use with fair payment) to acquire land actively used for farming or gardening, except when the land is permanently restricted for farming. It directly affects state, county, municipal, and school district governments, prohibiting them from taking active farmland for non-farming projects like development. The key exception allows acquisition only if the property is legally restricted in perpetuity for agricultural use after taking. This would change current law, which permits eminent domain for public purposes like blighted area redevelopment, by creating a permanent constitutional protection for active farmland.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts from public bidding requirements the renewal of farmland leases to tenant farmers who have farmed that specific land for at least 10 consecutive years prior to the land being taken by a local government through condemnation. It applies to leases for active agricultural or horticultural production on land previously condemned by municipalities or counties. The exemption ensures existing tenant farmers can continue operations without competitive bidding when renewing leases on land they've farmed for a decade.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time $5 million grant program to help 10 specific New Jersey school districts implement free, full-day kindergarten programs. It directly affects Moorestown Township, Haddonfield, Metuchen, Monroe Township, Millstone Township, the Chathams, Bridgewater-Raritan, Hillsborough, Cranford, and Westfield school districts, which currently do not offer such programs. Districts must submit applications detailing their implementation plans and associated costs for approval. If approved, each eligible district receives an equal share of the $5 million in funding to cover program setup expenses. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThe "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" (S 3309) requires used car dealers to check for open recalls on vehicles before sale using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and provide prospective buyers with printed recall information if any are found. Dealers cannot sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices issued by NHTSA. The bill mandates dealers to report vehicles with unresolved recalls (for which repairs remain uncompleted six months after initial notice) to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission every 180 days, prompting the Commission to send notices directly to vehicle owners. For vehicles with unavailable parts for recalls, dealers receive monthly compensation equal to 1.75% of the vehicle's value until repairs are completed.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds support local governments in acquiring land for recreation and conservation (e.g., parks, open space) and developing existing lands (e.g., park improvements, inclusive playgrounds under "Jake's Law"). Specifically, $22.4 million funds land acquisition projects, $80.3 million supports development projects like park upgrades and inclusive playgrounds, and $3 million establishes a new planning grant program for local conservation planning. It prioritizes projects in densely populated areas and urban aid municipalities, as defined by population density thresholds.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 2.5% annual limit on rent increases for tenants living in modular or manufactured homes used as their primary residence. It directly affects renters in these specific housing types, excluding owner-occupied properties with three or fewer units and affordable housing units with income restrictions. Landlords cannot raise rents more than 2.5% over any 12-month period for covered units, and violations require reverting to the previous rent amount. The law supplements existing rent protections but does not override stricter local rent control ordinances.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3812) removes a restriction that allowed the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members due to ongoing civil lawsuits related to their employment. It directly affects current and future PFRS members (police officers and firefighters) who are involved in civil litigation over their jobs. The bill requires the PFRS Board to pay benefits immediately, but permits adjustments if a legal case later results in penalties. It maintains existing rules that allow withholding for criminal charges or administrative dismissals from public employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. The allowance is intended for personal expenses like phone calls, meals, clothing, and hobbies, allowing residents greater autonomy over basic needs. The new amount will be adjusted annually by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, starting January 1 of the year following enactment.