Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create a program connecting people with disabilities to job training and employment opportunities. It mandates DOLWD to collaborate with qualified nonprofits (with at least five years' experience serving disabled individuals) to develop job training materials and establish an online resource hub. The hub will list training organizations, allow employers to post jobs, and provide information on labor laws and fair employment practices. The program directly affects people with disabilities seeking work, training providers, and employers in New Jersey, with annual reports required to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryS 1219 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create inspection procedures for mold hazards in residential buildings and school facilities, and to establish certification programs for mold inspectors and abatement workers. The bill mandates that inspectors must complete training in mold identification, sampling methods, moisture detection, and relevant laws, while abatement workers must learn safe removal techniques, cleaning protocols, and protective measures. These certification programs, to be implemented within 12 months of the bill's effective date, will require ongoing education and allow DCA to enforce standards through fees, examinations, and penalties for violations. The law directly affects residential property owners, school districts, and professionals working in mold inspection and remediation.

Maddy summaryS 642, the "New Jersey Clean Energy Act of 2024," requires all electricity sold to New Jersey consumers to come from 100% clean sources by 2035, directly affecting electric power suppliers and utilities. It establishes a "clean electricity certificate" (CEAC) program administered by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to track and verify zero-emission generation from sources like nuclear, solar, wind, and hydroelectric facilities. The bill mandates that electricity providers meet this standard by purchasing CEACs representing clean energy from qualifying facilities, excluding fossil fuel-based generation. This policy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution while supporting New Jersey's existing clean energy infrastructure goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to update existing school food waste guidelines to specifically include recommendations for utilizing food nearing best-by and expiration dates. The updated guidelines will provide K-12 schools and colleges with practical strategies - such as improved food labeling awareness, better purchasing/scheduling practices, and storage methods - to ensure older food items are consumed before newer stock. This addresses pre-consumer waste, which currently accounts for 4-10% of school food purchases, by preventing edible food from being discarded prematurely. The guidelines remain voluntary and will be posted on relevant state agency websites.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Citizen's Fund," a trust fund to hold revenue-producing public assets transferred from public entities like cities, counties, or school districts. Public entities can convey assets (such as infrastructure or facilities) to the fund, which manages them to increase the funded ratio of public pension plans for employees. Key provisions require independent valuations of assets before transfer, maintain the fund as a separate entity with strict accounting rules, and mandate that all fund assets be used solely to maximize asset value and support pension benefits. The fund must operate tax-exempt under federal law and cannot benefit individuals directly.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits vehicles from carrying unsecured loads that could dislodge and fall onto roads, specifically targeting items like furniture, mattresses, or similar materials that pose a danger if they fall. It requires such loads to be secured with straps, ratchets, or elastic cords and covered with tarps, and bans operation on New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), or Department of Transportation (DOT) roads with speed limits of 50 mph or higher. Violations carry fines up to $750 for improper loading and up to $1,000 or 10 days in jail if items dislodge and fall on restricted roads. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission must establish safety standards for securing loads on commercial flatbed trucks and passenger vehicles temporarily used for such transport.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) to conduct a 12-month study of cybersecurity infrastructure across all public entities (state/local government) and private businesses operating in New Jersey. It mandates these entities to report cybersecurity incidents and breaches for 12 months during the study. Based on the findings, the NJCCIC must create cybersecurity guidelines within six months of the study's end, requiring all affected entities to implement these guidelines within one year. Failure to comply may result in civil penalties established by the Department of Homeland Security.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that a homicide occurred in New Jersey if the victim's body is found within the state. It directly affects homicide prosecutions by changing the legal standard from a permissive inference (current law) to a rebuttable presumption. Under the new rule, if a body is found in New Jersey, the prosecution can initially assume the homicide happened here, but the defense can challenge this with evidence showing it occurred elsewhere. The change applies specifically to homicide cases under New Jersey law and does not alter jurisdiction rules for other crimes.

Maddy summaryS 1239 creates a "Manufacturing Reboot Program" within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA), providing financial assistance to eligible manufacturing businesses affected by the pandemic. It appropriates $10 million from the state General Fund - $5 million prioritizing businesses producing coronavirus vaccines and $5 million for other healthcare products like PPE or medical devices - to fund grants of $25,000-$150,000 per business. Qualified businesses must operate facilities with over 50% manufacturing equipment, pay above-average salaries with health benefits, and demonstrate market expansion or capacity to pivot to healthcare manufacturing. Grant funds can cover equipment, payroll, or employee training, with businesses required to report quarterly on employment and spending, and the EDA to submit annual program reports to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes retirement benefits for New Jersey public employees by removing tiered membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). It transfers all current non-retired PERS members to "Tier 1" (the benefits tier for those enrolled before July 2007), ensuring they receive identical retirement and health benefits as pre-2007 members. It also automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants, though their contributions remain in DCRP, and gives them 6 months to opt out. Additionally, it requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill’s effective date.