Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to reserve at least one parking space near city hall or other main municipal buildings exclusively for vehicles displaying disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient license plates or placards. It directly affects disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients by ensuring accessible parking near government buildings, building on existing exemptions for parking meter fees. The key provision mandates municipalities to designate these spaces, with the Motor Vehicle Commission already issuing the required license plates and placards. The law would take effect immediately but remain inactive for six months after enactment to allow time for compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Hazardous School Route Grant Program within the New Jersey Department of Education to improve pedestrian safety for students walking to school. It allocates $15 million in funding to help school districts address dangerous walking paths where courtesy bus services are not available. To qualify, districts must demonstrate financial need and have previously adopted policies identifying hazardous routes, while municipalities must handle permits and long-term maintenance. The program allows grants of up to $1 million per district for projects like capital improvements or temporary transportation, with applications prioritized based on the severity of risks and the number of students affected.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows police officers in Newark and Paterson who were promoted to sergeant after the February 2019 exam to have their promotions treated as permanent appointments instead of conditional ones. It directly affects over 100 officers who could otherwise face demotions following a court ruling that invalidated the original exam results due to racial scoring disparities. The legislation overrides previous administrative decisions that made these promotions conditional pending a new examination, effectively restoring their original appointment dates and status. By removing the requirement for these officers to retake the exam, the bill aims to maintain departmental stability and avoid potential disruptions to public safety operations in both cities.

Maddy summaryS 1279 establishes a 25-member "Youth Detention Task Force" to assess New Jersey's current youth detention system and recommend a better approach. The task force will evaluate existing county facilities, Youth Justice Commission-managed sites, or alternatives, considering factors like safety, rehabilitation opportunities, resources, and security. It includes legislative members, state agency heads (like the Attorney General and Youth Justice Commission Director), and public representatives from counties with and without detention facilities. The task force must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of its first meeting.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents the state from cutting school funding for specific districts during the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring they receive the same amount of aid as in the previous year. It applies to districts that are projected to lose money, are currently spending below a legal adequacy standard, cannot raise local taxes enough to cover their share, and spend less than 85% of the statewide average per student. By guaranteeing these funds, the legislation aims to stabilize budgets for schools that face financial constraints and lower per-pupil spending levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates up to $25 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to help certain New Jersey school districts cover rising health care costs. To qualify, a district must be spending below an adequacy threshold, have used its maximum allowable tax levy increase for the 2026-2027 school year, and lack available tax cap reserves. Eligible districts will receive a share of the funds based on their proportionate contribution to the statewide increase in health care costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to create specific criteria for identifying dangerous walking routes for students and provides state funding to districts that offer busing for students on those routes. The proposed criteria include measurable factors such as high traffic volume, lack of sidewalks, dangerous crossings, and environmental or social risks, with stricter standards for younger children and urban areas. Once a route is officially designated as hazardous, school districts must submit joint certifications to the state, and eligible students will receive state aid to cover the cost of courtesy busing services.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 1st of each year as "Silver Star Service Banner Day" in New Jersey to honor military service members and veterans who were wounded or became ill during service. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day, aligning with a national recognition established by Congress in 2010. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but provides symbolic recognition through an annual observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a public awareness and education program about Alzheimer's disease. The program must promote awareness of symptoms, early detection, and community resources through a public campaign, educational materials for healthcare providers, and specialized training for first responders, judicial staff, and social services personnel. It specifically mandates DHS to develop content covering disease symptoms, coping strategies, safety concerns, and treatment options, making this information available online in English and Spanish. The initiative directly affects New Jersey residents living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers, and the state's healthcare, emergency response, and legal systems. DHS may accept grants to fund the program but is required to implement it regardless of funding availability.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits developers of data centers from using non-disclosure agreements to hide details about their projects from the public or local officials. It declares such secrecy deals unenforceable and requires applicants to certify that no agreements were made to conceal development plans during property transactions. Local agencies must deny approval for any data center project where the developer violates these transparency rules. The law specifically targets data centers and does not apply to other types of construction.