Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows businesses to receive tax credits for employing individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and other neurological conditions. The credits apply to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, providing up to $2,400 per employee based on 40% of the first $6,000 in wages paid annually. The legislation includes safeguards to prevent abuse, such as denying credits if a company replaces existing employees solely to qualify for the benefit or if wages are already claimed under other tax programs. Businesses must apply for these credits through the state director, who will determine eligibility and ensure the total credits do not exceed 50% of the taxpayer's liability.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to help New Jersey emerging businesses cover advertising and marketing costs. It defines eligible businesses as those with fewer than 225 employees, at least 75% of whom work in New Jersey, and that operate within the state. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will manage the program, review applications on a rolling basis, and determine grant amounts based on available funds. Recipients must submit annual audited financial statements to ensure proper use of funds, and grants may be converted to loans if misused.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New Jersey residents who are 100 percent disabled veterans from paying motor vehicle registration fees for one passenger vehicle. To qualify, individuals must have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces and have their disability status officially adjudicated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation also requires the state Adjutant General to work with the Motor Vehicle Commission to notify eligible veterans about this fee exemption. This change removes the financial burden of vehicle registration fees for this specific group of disabled veterans.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Community Health Worker Program within the Department of Health to improve access to care in underserved communities. It establishes standardized training and certification for community health workers through colleges and integrates their services into Medicaid reimbursement. The program will begin in Newark and expand statewide within five years, overseen by a director and a nine-member advisory board representing various health and community sectors.
Maddy summaryThis bill adds $10 million from the Universal Service Fund (an off-budget source) to the NJSHARES-S.M.A.R.T. Program for utility payment assistance in New Jersey. It directly helps homeowners and tenants facing financial hardship with past-due utility bills, including arrearages. The program requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to quickly establish eligibility guidelines, ensuring applicants aren’t receiving duplicate benefits from private insurance or other programs. This supplement builds on an existing $5 million appropriation for the same program in the FY2026 budget.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3571) ensures certain volunteer workers in New Jersey receive the maximum workers' compensation benefit for work-related injuries or death, regardless of their income from other jobs. It directly affects volunteer firefighters, first aid/rescue squad workers, emergency management volunteers, healthcare workers registered with the Emergency Health Care Provider Registry, and volunteers for state parks, fish and wildlife, and historic trusts. Key provisions include setting compensation equal to the maximum benefit under state law (bypassing calculations based on outside earnings) and eliminating the standard seven-day waiting period for these workers. The bill clarifies existing law following a 2019 Supreme Court ruling that confirmed volunteers should receive maximum benefits irrespective of outside employment.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 155) allows school bus drivers to administer epinephrine to students experiencing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) under specific conditions. It requires parental written consent, a doctor’s order confirming the student’s need for epinephrine, and that the parent provides a current epinephrine auto-injector for the school bus. School bus drivers must complete mandatory training, and the school district must provide liability protections to drivers and contractors. The policy applies only to students with documented severe allergies who have been authorized by their parents and doctors.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3646) upgrades the penalty for making false public alarms that target specific officials. It increases the offense from a third-degree crime to a second-degree crime when the person knows their false report will trigger law enforcement response against elected officials, judges (Supreme, Superior, Tax Court, or municipal), or law enforcement officers. The penalty for this upgraded offense would be up to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine, compared to the current maximum of 5 years and $15,000. The bill also maintains existing civil penalties for false alarms and requires annual reports on such offenses by law enforcement agencies.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3649) requires certain public restrooms to display signs reserving accessible stalls exclusively for people with disabilities. It applies to businesses and public venues with multiple-user restrooms (requiring one accessible stall with signs and at least one other stall available) or single-user accessible restrooms (requiring signs if at least two other restrooms exist). The bill mandates that construction permits for new or renovated buildings must include compliant signage, and existing facilities may be inspected for adherence. Violations trigger a 30-day correction period, followed by $150 penalties for first offenses and $300 for repeat violations on the same property.
Maddy summaryThis bill transfers certain school district employees from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It applies to school employees hired on or after the bill's effective date who earn above a minimum salary threshold (for those eligible to enroll between November 2, 2008, and May 21, 2010) and work more than 20 hours per week. These employees will be enrolled in PERS within 180 days, with service credit for prior DCRP service, though this credit does not count toward pension calculations. The state will cover the unfunded liability from the transfer via a one-time payment amortized over 20 years.