Maddy summaryThis bill (S 653) allows adults aged 21+ with developmental disabilities who are transitioning from child-focused services to adult services to participate in both an adult day program and an employment program simultaneously. It directly affects individuals previously restricted from accessing both types of support at the same time. The key mechanism requires applicants to meet eligibility for both programs and have their individualized service plan explicitly authorize participation in both, as defined by the bill (day programs provide habilitation/sheltered workshops, employment programs offer vocational training for sheltered work). The bill removes barriers to integrated support by mandating this dual participation when plans document it.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 4060 increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $100 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. The PNA is money residents can use for personal expenses like phone calls, meals, clothing, or hobbies without it counting toward their care costs. This change would double New Jersey's current minimum PNA, which is lower than in 20 other states. The state would pay an additional $50 per month for Medicaid recipients and $70 for SSI recipients, on top of federal benefits, to reach the $100 minimum.
Maddy summaryThis bill revises how New Jersey calculates regional affordable housing needs, directly affecting all municipalities required to meet fair share obligations under the Fair Housing Act. It replaces the previous method with a data-driven approach: the Department of Community Affairs must determine regional need by counting new residential housing units (excluding replacements) built between the last two federal censuses, then dividing that number by five to set a realistic target. Municipalities that committed to affordable housing plans by January 31, 2025, must adjust their obligations based on this new calculation and submit updated housing plans within 90 days of receiving revised figures. The bill also repeals an outdated section of the Fair Housing Act and allows the department to act quickly without standard administrative delays.
Maddy summarySR 122 is a New Jersey Senate resolution urging the federal government to exempt Social Security benefits from federal income tax. It does not change current law but calls on Congress to pass legislation that would eliminate the federal tax on these benefits, which are currently partially taxable for some recipients (e.g., single filers with incomes over $25,000) based on thresholds unchanged since the 1990s. The resolution notes that 41 states and New Jersey already exempt Social Security from state income tax, emphasizing that federal taxation reduces essential support for beneficiaries. It specifically references pending federal legislation (H.R. 9359) as a potential path forward.
Maddy summaryS 3611 allocates $1 million to the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to study and map mental health care access for children. The bill requires creating a visual journey map of the steps families take to access services, identifying eligibility rules, financial barriers, and disparities by race/ethnicity. It mandates stakeholder input from providers, administrators, and families across northern, central, and southern NJ regions. The institute must submit two reports within 13 months: one mapping the care journey and another summarizing barriers, disparities, and policy recommendations for improving pediatric mental health services. This study directly affects children and families seeking mental health care in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 3923 requires public utilities (such as electricity or gas companies) to provide daily updates to mayors or municipal clerks about service work occurring within a municipality, including emergency repairs. The updates must detail the status of the work and be provided from the start to end date of the project. The Board of Public Utilities will create rules for how these updates are delivered, including special rules for emergencies affecting municipal buildings. This bill directly affects public utilities and local governments in New Jersey by mandating regular communication about infrastructure work.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey county prosecutor to create a centralized, countywide system for tracking sexual assault forensic evidence kits (SAFE kits). The system must meet specific standards set by the Attorney General, who will issue necessary guidelines to implement the law. The bill directly affects county prosecutors and law enforcement agencies handling sexual assault cases across all 21 New Jersey counties, aiming to improve evidence management and accountability.
Maddy summaryS 3904, the "S2 Appropriations Rescue Act," provides $106.5 million in emergency aid to New Jersey school districts negatively impacted by P.L.2018, c.67 (the "S2" funding formula). It targets districts receiving less than their calculated adequacy budget or $19,000 per resident student in 2024-2025, and either less than or no more than $200,000 above their 2023-2024 State school aid. Eligible districts receive $250 per resident student (based on enrollment as of October 16, 2023) to offset budget shortfalls. This aid aims to stabilize school budgets strained by years of S2-related funding reductions, helping districts avoid staff layoffs, program cuts, and facility closures.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3855) requires health insurance carriers and state health benefit programs in New Jersey to reimburse providers for telemedicine and telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services, rather than at a rate that merely "does not exceed" the in-person rate. It applies to private insurance plans, Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, the State Health Benefits Commission, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Commission. The bill ensures patients won't pay more for telehealth visits than in-person visits and prohibits restrictions on where or how telehealth services can be provided, as long as care standards are maintained. It also mandates coverage for routine remote patient monitoring through telehealth, such as monitoring vital signs. The bill does not require patients to use telehealth instead of in-person care.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts the retail sale of specific energy-saving products and services from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It covers items like insulation, LED light bulbs, window caulk, furnace filters, weather stripping, tankless water heaters, and HVAC tune-ups, which are defined as products or services primarily designed to reduce energy consumption in homes and businesses. Consumers purchasing these items would no longer pay sales tax on them at the point of sale. The exemption applies to sales made two months after the bill becomes law.