Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses and public accommodations with accessible restrooms to display clear signs reserving specific stalls or single-user restrooms exclusively for people with disabilities. It applies to multiple-user restrooms (with at least one non-accessible stall available) and single-user accessible restrooms (with at least two other restrooms available). Construction permits for new or renovated buildings must include these signs, and existing facilities may be inspected; violations trigger a 30-day correction period followed by $150-$300 fines for non-compliance. The law aims to prevent non-disabled individuals from occupying accessible facilities, ensuring they remain available for those who need them.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution urges New Jersey restaurants that accept mobile ordering to add pop-up alerts warning customers not to place orders while driving. It cites that distracted driving caused 42 interstate fatalities in New Jersey during 2021 and that cell phone use is the most common distraction for drivers. The resolution recommends restaurants implement safety features like pop-up warnings in their mobile ordering apps to reduce distracted driving risks. It does not require restaurants to take action but encourages voluntary adoption of these safety measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a tax credit for certain disabled veterans in New Jersey who rent their primary residence. It allows eligible veterans (with specific service-connected disabilities like paraplegia, blindness, or amputations) to claim a credit equal to 18% of their rent, treating it as equivalent to property taxes. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans also gain access to this credit under certain circumstances. The credit is applied against income tax liability, with a separate application process for veterans who don’t owe income tax.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2668 enters the state into the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA), enabling EMTs, paramedics, and other licensed EMS personnel to practice across state lines more easily. The compact requires participating states to mutually recognize licenses, provided the home state uses the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam for initial licensing and shares adverse action or safety-related information. This directly affects EMS professionals who work in multiple states, streamlining their ability to provide care while maintaining safety standards through shared licensing verification. The bill establishes a framework for states to cooperate on licensure, ensuring public safety without requiring new individual licenses for cross-state work.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2655) requires cable companies (CATV providers) to provide free broadband internet service and necessary equipment (like routers) to public libraries, fire stations, police stations, public schools, and other municipal buildings. It directly affects cable companies operating in New Jersey and the public institutions listed, mandating they offer this service without charge through dedicated service outlets. The key provision specifies that libraries must receive business-class internet bandwidth proportional to their needs, while other buildings get standard free service. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee after introduction on February 12, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families. It directly affects eligible individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (defined as conditions manifesting before age 22 that cause long-term functional limitations in major life activities) by establishing standardized services and care coordination. Key provisions require the division to identify community-based services, set eligibility procedures, prevent service duplication with other agencies, and establish quality standards for care, including therapy, housing support, and family counseling. The division must also develop collaborative agreements with other agencies to ensure comprehensive, coordinated support for these individuals.

Maddy summaryS 2667 requires New Jersey's Director of Consumer Affairs to create an annual notice educating senior citizens (60+) about fraud risks and identity theft prevention, including common scams and protective measures. The Commissioner of Human Services must then distribute this notice to the public upon request and to state-funded organizations serving seniors for onward sharing. The notice must be updated yearly and posted online, aiming to proactively inform seniors about financial security threats. The bill is pending before the Senate Health Committee as of February 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires death certificates to list the specific drug responsible for a drug overdose death when that information is available. It directly affects medical examiners, funeral directors, and families completing death certificates in New Jersey. The key provision adds a requirement to standard death certificate forms (or the NJ-EDRS system) to include the drug name in overdose cases, rather than just noting "drug overdose." This change aims to improve public health data on drug-related deaths without altering existing procedures for other causes of death. The bill does not change how death certificates are completed for non-overdose fatalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to establish a five-year pilot program offering free rides on NJT's rail, light rail, and bus services to individuals already eligible for NJT's Access Link service, which provides paratransit transportation for people with disabilities. The program will automatically enroll eligible riders, include free rides for their personal assistants when traveling together, and require NJT to develop user-friendly enrollment policies to reduce barriers. NJT must train staff annually on the program and submit yearly reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing ridership, costs, customer feedback, and a final analysis in the fifth year on whether to make the program permanent.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2660) allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to issue bonds specifically for purchasing electric or renewable-powered passenger cars and station wagons. It amends bond accounting rules by adding a new 5-year lifespan category for "alternative fuel automotive vehicles" (including electric vehicles) in municipal bond records, distinct from standard gasoline/diesel vehicles. This change directly affects local governments seeking to finance EV fleets through municipal bonds. The key mechanism adjusts how these vehicles are counted in bond repayment calculations, recognizing their unique energy source without altering vehicle purchase requirements.