Maddy summaryS 1203 requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create online systems for schools and child care centers to electronically submit lead testing results for drinking water. Schools and child care centers already required to test for lead (since 2016 for schools, 2017 for child care) must submit their results via these systems within 90 days of the systems' launch, with all data made publicly searchable online. The bill also mandates that DOE and DCF jointly prepare a report within two years detailing lead contamination levels, remediation needs, and state assistance recommendations. This bill directly affects schools and child care centers that conduct lead testing, aiming to improve transparency and inform remediation efforts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $3 million supplemental appropriation to New Jersey's State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The funds are designated for specific operational needs including advanced training, equipment, vehicle purchases, software licenses, and staff mental health support to combat online child exploitation. The bill addresses rising incidents of internet-based child abuse, noting increased risks during events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and due to limited federal funding. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already covered by another enacted bill, P.L.2025, c.331.)
Maddy summaryThis bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who become permanently disabled while on duty due to weapon-related injuries. It modifies the pension calculation so that affected members receive 100% of their final annual salary instead of the standard two-thirds, providing a significantly higher benefit. The change applies specifically to disabilities caused by weapons, as defined under New Jersey law, and does not alter other disability pension rules. This adjustment aims to better compensate first responders injured in line-of-duty incidents involving weapons.
Maddy summaryS 1293 increases penalties for criminal trespassing when a firearm is carried, regardless of whether the person holds a valid permit to carry a handgun. It elevates trespassing in locations currently classified as fourth-degree crimes (such as schools, homes, hazardous facilities, or airports) to a third-degree crime if a firearm is present, raising potential penalties to 3-5 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines. For trespassing that is currently a petty disorderly persons offense (e.g., entering posted areas), carrying a firearm elevates it to a disorderly persons offense with up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 in fines. This bill directly affects individuals who trespass in designated locations while carrying a firearm, with no exceptions for permit holders.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords of properties used for child care services (such as daycares, after-school programs, or preschools caring for six or more children under 13) to install and maintain NSF/ANSI-certified water filters at all drinking, food prep, and baby formula fixtures if they refuse access to replace lead service lines. Landlords must annually certify filter installation to the Department of Environmental Protection and face $500 daily penalties for noncompliance. Tenants can notify landlords of violations, triggering a 30-day correction period, after which they may seek court-ordered rent escrow to fund required filter installation. The requirement applies only if lead service lines remain connected and active.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain rooming and boarding houses and cooperative sober living residences to comply with local land use regulations. Specifically, it amends existing law to subject these facilities to municipal zoning and land use rules (previously exempt except for construction codes). It also mandates that applicants for a State Class F license to operate a cooperative sober living residence must submit written approvals from local zoning, fire, health, and building authorities with their license application. The bill affects owners/operators of these facilities and changes how the state issues licenses for sober living residences.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires new retail facilities and warehouses larger than 75,000 square feet to be designed with roofs capable of supporting solar panels. Specifically, the roof structure must accommodate the weight of solar systems covering at least 40% of the roof area (minus certain features like skylights), regardless of panel type or weather conditions. It applies to buildings where construction permits were not finalized before the bill's effective date, and mandates the Department of Community Affairs to establish detailed design standards. The law aims to make future solar installations on large commercial buildings more feasible and cost-effective.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a separate fringe benefit rate for New Jersey's public colleges and universities, starting in fiscal year 2025. Currently, these institutions use a general state rate that doesn't reflect their actual employee benefit costs - many staff are in the less expensive Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) rather than the standard Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The new rate will be based on the actual cost of retirement programs at these institutions and applied to all federal, dedicated, and non-State funded programs. This change directly affects public higher education funding by aligning benefit costs with actual employee retirement plan expenses.
Maddy summaryS 1220 requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study indoor air quality in public schools within one year of the bill's effective date. The DOH must test for specific contaminants like carbon dioxide, VOCs, and fine particulate matter across a representative sample of schools (covering diverse regions, age levels, and building ages), then compile a statewide list of common contaminants and develop practical guidance for schools to reduce or mitigate these pollutants. This guidance will be shared with the Department of Education and posted online for public access. The bill directly affects public schools by providing them with science-based tools to address indoor air quality, while requiring the DOH, DEP, and DOE to collaborate on implementation.
Maddy summaryS 760, the "Mold Safe Housing Act," requires landlords in New Jersey to address mold hazards in rental properties within 72 hours of tenant notification. It mandates inspections before occupancy changes for certain buildings and creates a process where tenants can request mold remediation, with landlords facing financial liability if they fail to comply. The bill establishes a relocation program for tenants in unsafe housing, allowing the state to seek reimbursement from negligent landlords for relocation costs. This law directly affects renters in mold-prone housing, landlords, and local housing authorities, focusing on health safety through enforceable cleanup deadlines and financial accountability.