Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1498) requires new employers of law enforcement officers to reimburse former employers for documented training and hiring costs when an officer resigns and is hired by another agency within 120 days. It applies specifically to officers who held probationary status or a permanent position for three years or less at their previous agency. The new employer must pay the full amount of certified costs (including examination, hiring, and training fees plus salary during training) within 120 days of the new appointment. This affects county/municipal police departments, state agencies, and educational institution police departments that hire officers from other law enforcement roles. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee after introduction on January 9, 2024.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1985) would legalize for adults aged 21 or older the cultivation and possession of up to six marijuana plants per person for personal recreational use, with a household maximum of 12 plants. It also legalizes for qualifying medical patients (21+) or their designated caregivers to grow and possess up to 10 plants per person for medical use, with the same household cap of 12 plants. The bill amends state law to remove criminal penalties for these specific amounts, building on existing law that already decriminalized possession of up to six ounces. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee (introduced January 9, 2024) and would take effect immediately if enacted.
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's statewide high school proficiency test requirement for graduation. It directly affects all public high school students and local school districts by removing the mandate that students must pass a state-administered test to earn a diploma. The key mechanism deletes references to the "Statewide assessment test" and "High School Proficiency Test" from existing law, shifting authority to local boards of education to set their own graduation standards. The bill does not create new requirements or assessments - only removes the existing statewide test as a graduation condition.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes uniform rights and governance standards for homeowners in all shared ownership communities (condominiums, planned communities, and cooperatives) across New Jersey. It creates a new Commission on Shared Ownership Communities to serve as a state liaison, promote fair governance, and provide low-cost dispute resolution. The bill requires standardized, clear disclosures for prospective buyers about rights and responsibilities, eliminates exemptions for small communities, and mandates transparent association operations like open meetings and record access. These changes directly affect homeowners, developers, and association boards by updating outdated laws that previously offered stronger protections only to condominium owners.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey to provide parents or legal guardians with a 45-day written notice before changing tuition rates. Centers must send the notice via certified mail (with return receipt), first-class mail with receipt, or in-person delivery to the parent's last known address, and also post it online and in the center. It directly affects families with children enrolled in licensed child care centers by ensuring advance notice of fee changes, with no substantive policy changes beyond the notice requirement.
Maddy summaryS 1492 requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover prescription female contraceptives (like birth control pills and diaphragms) and male sterilization procedures without cost-sharing (no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance). It applies to hospital and medical service corporations offering coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, mandating three-month coverage for first use and six-month coverage for subsequent uses of the same contraceptive. Religious employers can opt out of covering contraceptives if it conflicts with their beliefs, but must notify subscribers and cannot exclude coverage for contraceptives needed for life or health reasons. The bill amends existing insurance laws (P.L.2005, c.251) and takes effect upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey appointing authorities (like the Governor, Senate President, or Assembly Speaker) to prioritize racial and gender diversity when filling positions on boards, commissions, task forces, or other multi-member bodies created by statute. It mandates that appointments reflect the racial and gender makeup of the state's overall population as a "primary consideration," unless specific circumstances or existing statutory requirements conflict. The requirement applies to all such bodies established by law, both existing and future, and takes effect immediately upon passage. It does not mandate specific diversity quotas but sets diversity as a key factor in selection decisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the validity period for New Jersey's firearms purchaser identification card from its current term to four years. It requires individuals to complete training before receiving a firearms purchaser ID card or handgun purchase permit. The bill also revises procedures for transferring firearms to heirs or legatees, though specific details of this change aren't fully outlined in the provided text. Existing requirements remain, including background checks for all firearm transactions conducted through licensed dealers and prohibitions on issuing cards to individuals with certain criminal histories, mental health conditions, or domestic violence convictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires mail-in ballot application forms to include prepaid postage, paid by the State, so voters no longer need to purchase stamps when returning their completed forms. It directly affects voters who apply for mail-in ballots by mail, removing a cost barrier to requesting ballots. The requirement will be implemented after the 2023 primary election as part of amendments to New Jersey's election law. The bill ensures that the cost of mailing applications does not fall on voters.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts with at least 1,000 students that offer 403(b) retirement plans (a tax-sheltered annuity option for school employees) to select a minimum of three financial institutions or pension managers to provide these plans. If fewer than three providers are available, the district must choose all available options. The bill mandates that selected providers must share all fees, investment details, and costs electronically to ensure transparency for employees. It also explicitly states that school boards cannot be held liable for investment losses or underperformance of the selected plans.