Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to provide stable, ongoing funding for a confidential 24-hour crisis hotline supporting New Jersey law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers. It appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund starting in fiscal year 2025 to sustain the existing "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" program, which currently receives $400,000 from Body Armor Replacement Funds. The hotline offers confidential peer support for officers experiencing psychological stress, trauma, or emotional distress related to their work. Operators must be trained in law enforcement-specific mental health issues, and the program ensures caller confidentiality while allowing limited tracking for severe cases. The fund will also accept additional revenues from other sources to support the program's long-term operation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3216, the "Transparency in Federal Law Enforcement Activities Act," requires federal law enforcement officers (such as ICE or CBP agents) operating in New Jersey with state or local law enforcement to visibly display their name and agency on identification and verbally state this information upon request when questioning, detaining, or arresting someone. It applies to all federal agents participating in joint operations with New Jersey agencies. State and local officers must refuse to assist in any operation if federal agents fail to comply, and violations can lead to disciplinary action against officers or private lawsuits for affected residents. The bill clarifies it does not interfere with lawful federal actions but mandates transparency during cooperative law enforcement activities within New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's laws for negotiating police and fire department contracts and resolving disputes through arbitration. It requires negotiations to begin 120 days before a contract expires, with at least three meetings scheduled during that period, and establishes clear steps for handling impasses through mediation, fact-finding, and binding arbitration. The bill also changes how arbitrators are selected (requiring random selection by the commission if parties don't agree) and sets new qualifications, training, and conduct rules for arbitrators. It directly affects police and fire departments, their unions, and the Public Employment Relations Commission when negotiating or resolving contract disputes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that any new voting machines purchased or leased for use in New Jersey elections must produce a physical paper record for every vote cast. Voters would be able to verify that the paper record matches their choices before the ballot is processed. The paper record must be preserved for manual audits and would serve as the official tally in the event of a recount. The requirement applies only to new machines, not to existing equipment already in use during elections.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 679 requires large companies (with over $1 billion in annual revenue operating in the state) to annually report all greenhouse gas emissions - including direct operations (scope 1), purchased energy (scope 2), and supply chain activities (scope 3) - to a designated emissions reporting organization. Companies must provide this data with independent third-party verification and make it publicly accessible. The law aims to increase transparency for investors and residents about corporate climate impacts, as mandated by the bill's findings on climate risks. It takes effect three years after enactment, applying to businesses already operating in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 11-member Commission on Career and Technical Education to study and evaluate the availability, equity, and expansion of career training programs across New Jersey school districts. The commission will assess program access in counties, review costs and benefits of expansion, and issue a report with recommendations within one year. It also requires public school principals (grades 6-12) to annually promote career programs through student assemblies, parent events, and website notices. The bill directly affects school districts, county vocational schools, and students seeking career-focused education pathways. It creates no new funding but mandates specific reporting and awareness efforts to improve program visibility.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3440 requires public schools to maintain specific ratios of certified school library media specialists based on student enrollment: half-time staff for schools under 300 students, one full-time specialist for 300-1,499 students, and two full-time specialists for 1,500+ students. Schools with 500+ students must also employ at least one full-time library clerk, plus one additional clerk for every 500 students. The bill includes limited waivers for schools unable to hire certified specialists (max two over five years) and mandates minimum daily time for specialists to perform library work in secondary schools, depending on enrollment size. It takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryS 3399 directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a virtual power plant program aimed at reducing peak electricity demand by 500 megawatts by 2030. The program will coordinate distributed energy resources - such as home batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and controllable loads - through third-party aggregators to shift energy use away from peak times. This approach is intended to lower electricity costs for ratepayers, reduce reliance on fossil fuel peaker plants, and avoid costly grid infrastructure upgrades, as outlined in the bill's findings.
Maddy summaryS 850 establishes a $5 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of Health to help health care professional students repay loans or tuition. The program provides grants to qualified recruitment servicers who partner with hospitals and educational institutions, requiring hospitals to match grant funds at 200% and students to commit to three years of work at partner hospitals. It directly affects health care students (capping assistance at $10,000 yearly or $30,000 total), hospitals providing employment, and recruitment servicers managing the program. The bill specifies eligibility, application requirements, and administrative details for distributing funds to support health care workforce retention.
Maddy summaryS 2977 requires chain restaurants with 20 or more locations in New Jersey to meet specific nutritional standards for children's meals (sold as a single-price combo for kids). The bill mandates that these meals contain no more than 550 calories, 700mg sodium, 15g added sugar, and 0g trans fat, while including at least ½ cup of fresh fruits/vegetables and healthier beverage options like water or milk (not sugary drinks). Restaurants must clearly display the nutritional content of compliant meals on menus or signage. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 per offense, enforced by the Department of Health.