Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1063) provides tax deductions for educators and school support staff. Full-time educators and paraprofessionals (school aides assisting teachers) can deduct $500 from their state taxable income, while part-time workers get a $350 deduction. To qualify as full-time, employees must work at least 25 hours weekly for 12 months (or 10 months for standard school year roles). The deduction applies to teachers in public school districts, charter schools, and approved private schools serving students with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create rules for inspecting and removing mold hazards in residential buildings and school facilities, including public and charter schools. It mandates certification programs for mold inspectors and abatement workers, requiring specific training in mold identification, sampling methods, moisture source detection, and safety protocols. The DCA must adopt these rules within six months for inspections and 12 months for certifications, including continuing education requirements and enforcement mechanisms. The bill directly affects property owners, tenants, school districts, and contractors working in affected buildings.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $70 million in federal pandemic relief funds to New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The EDA will award $50 million in grants for general financial recovery (including $10 million specifically for arts education programs in schools and after-school settings) and $20 million for placemaking projects that beautify public spaces like sidewalks and parks with art installations. Qualifying groups include both for-profit and nonprofit arts organizations that experienced pandemic-related revenue losses. The funds come directly from New Jersey's allocation of federal "Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund" money under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Maddy summaryS 1037 creates the New Jersey STEM Entrepreneur Fellowship Program, requiring the Secretary of Higher Education to establish it in partnership with the Labor Commissioner and Economic Development Authority. The program will fund at least 20 three-year fellowships for individuals with proven STEM business ideas that benefit society and can become self-sustaining businesses. Fellows will receive support primarily for commercializing their ideas and building viable businesses, with priority given to applicants backed by state-supported incubators. The program targets STEM entrepreneurs at New Jersey's county colleges and four-year institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1028) requires landlords in senior citizen housing projects to provide tenants with a written explanation for any rent increase. It specifically mandates that the explanation must state why the increase is not unfairly high, confirm compliance with local rent laws, and list the specific expenses (like maintenance or utilities) that led to the increase. This applies only to tenants in housing designated as "senior citizen housing" under existing law (P.L.1995, c.144). The bill is currently in the introduction stage (Senate, 2024) and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SCR 37) is a ceremonial gesture by the New Jersey Legislature to commemorate the 127th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV), founded in 1896. It formally recognizes the JWV's historical role as the oldest continuously active veterans organization in the U.S., highlighting its advocacy for Jewish service members and contributions to military efforts, and directs copies of the resolution to the national JWV commander. The bill has no binding policy effect and does not alter laws or affect any group through new requirements.

Maddy summaryS 1001 requires New Jersey municipalities to designate 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. This applies to vehicles owned by and transporting qualifying veterans or Purple Heart recipients who already have special license plates or placards issued by the Motor Vehicle Commission. The bill builds on existing parking fee exemptions for these individuals (established in 2015) by adding a physical reserved parking space requirement. Municipalities must implement this change within six months of the law taking effect.

Maddy summaryS 1060 requires New Jersey public schools to create policies for emergency treatment of students with seizure disorders. Specifically, schools must develop protocols allowing trained staff to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use manual vagus nerve stimulators when a school nurse isn't present. The policy mandates that school nurses train at least two volunteer staff members, obtain written parental consent, and ensure schools provide liability protections for staff acting in good faith. These policies must align with guidelines developed by the Department of Education and Department of Health, and require hospital transport after emergency treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.3 billion in federal funds (from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund or other pandemic-related federal sources) to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for lead service line replacement projects. It directly affects water suppliers across New Jersey, requiring most to provide matching funds for pipe replacements while exempting small suppliers (serving ≤3,300 connections) from upfront matching requirements. Key mechanisms include using the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program, enabling the Infrastructure Bank to provide low-interest loans for projects, and defining "lead service lines" to include galvanized pipes. The funds must be used specifically for replacing lead pipes connecting water mains to buildings, with administrative costs capped at 1% of allocated funds.

Maddy summaryS 1004 upgrades penalties for false public alarms that specifically target certain officials. The bill amends New Jersey law to make it a second-degree crime (instead of third-degree) when someone knowingly creates a false alarm likely to trigger law enforcement response against elected officials, judges, or law enforcement officers. This increases potential penalties from up to 5 years in prison and $15,000 fines to up to 10 years in prison and $150,000 fines. The change directly affects individuals who make false emergency reports targeting these officials, aiming to deter "swatting" incidents that endanger public safety personnel.