Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies New Jersey's tax law for telecommunications companies' business personal property. It specifies that the requirement for companies to provide dial tone to 51% of a local telephone exchange applies only as of April 1, 1997 - not annually - ending costly yearly legal disputes over tax assessments. The bill also mandates that telecommunications carriers (including successors to historical monopolists) pay business personal property taxes to municipalities where their equipment is located. Additionally, it requires winning municipalities to recover attorney fees from companies that appeal these taxes. This directly affects telecom companies operating in New Jersey and the municipalities taxing their property.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to revoke a for-profit college's license to award degrees if it fails to meet specific graduation rate targets. For four-year programs, schools must achieve a 75% six-year graduation rate for full-time students within six years of the bill's effective date; for two-year programs, a 75% three-year rate is required. Schools not meeting these targets by the deadline face automatic license revocation, though the Secretary may grant additional time if a school is making sufficient progress after five years. The law directly affects for-profit degree-granting colleges in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 3350 creates a New Jersey tax credit for residents with gross income under $150,000 who pay full-time tuition at qualifying in-state institutions. It provides a 10% credit on tuition costs, capped at $1,000 per year, for either the taxpayer’s own education or for dependents under age 22. The credit applies to four-year public colleges, county colleges, and accredited vocational schools in New Jersey. Taxpayers cannot claim this credit if they already deducted the tuition for the dependent or if a parent claimed it for them. The credit is available for taxable years starting January 1 after the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public employers (including state agencies, school boards, and local governments) to set contribution limits for medical/dental and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) at the same annual federal limits as specified in the Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, it mandates that public employees' salary reductions for medical/dental FSAs cannot exceed the federal limit adjusted for inflation (26 U.S.C. §125(i)), and dependent care FSA contributions must follow the federal limit (26 U.S.C. §129(a)). The bill amends existing statutes to align state rules with federal standards, ensuring public employees' FSA contributions comply with IRS guidelines. It directly affects all public employees participating in cafeteria plans for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 66) requests Congress to add Medicare coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures. It directly affects elderly Medicare beneficiaries who currently pay out-of-pocket for these essential assistive devices. The resolution cites that Medicare does not cover these items despite widespread need among seniors, with 42% of elderly Medicare recipients experiencing hearing loss and many requiring dental care. It formally memorializes Congress to enact legislation providing this coverage, aiming to reduce financial burdens and improve quality of life for older Americans. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal request to the U.S. Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program within New Jersey's Department of Education to provide assistive technology tools to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia and related learning conditions. The program will supply devices and services like text-to-speech software, speech-to-text applications, and specialized spelling aids to help students access grade-level curriculum, improve reading fluency, and boost writing confidence. Students do not need formal special education classification to qualify. The Commissioner of Education, working with the Office of Information Technology, will manage the pilot, including assessing student needs, acquiring technology, and providing training for educators.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare practices to notify patients within 10 business days if their State-licensed physician has a suspended or revoked medical license (temporarily or permanently), using email or mail. Patients may also request contact information for the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law applies directly to patients of affected physicians and the healthcare entities employing them. It takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill aims to improve patient awareness of physician license actions without altering medical licensing standards.

Maddy summarySCR 88 is a New Jersey Senate resolution (not a law) urging Congress and the President to create federal penalties for companies that outsource U.S. jobs to foreign markets. It specifically calls for legislation that would deny outsourcing companies federal contracts, tax breaks, grants, or loans, and impose an "outsourcing tax" on firms replacing American workers with lower-wage overseas labor. The resolution cites statistics showing 14 million U.S. jobs held by foreign affiliates of American companies in 2023 (up 3 million since 2009), arguing this trend harms the 7.6 million unemployed Americans, including 240,000 in New Jersey. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact penalties itself but requests federal action to incentivize domestic hiring.

Maddy summaryS 3339 allows individuals participating in Drug Court or approved substance use disorder rehabilitation programs to earn credit toward their court-imposed fines and fees. If they pay for the program and successfully complete it, they can apply to the court for a credit equal to the amount paid, which reduces their outstanding fines or other financial obligations. The court must verify successful completion before granting the credit. This change applies to penalties assessed under New Jersey law for certain offenses, providing a direct financial incentive for completing treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3322) requires New Jersey to create a central registry for newborns diagnosed with sickle cell trait - a genetic condition where a person carries one sickle cell gene but typically does not have sickle cell disease. It mandates that newborn screening labs notify physicians, who must then provide parents with information about genetic counseling. The registry will track cases to ensure parents receive timely notifications during early adolescence (for athletic safety) and later adolescence (for reproductive planning), while keeping all health data confidential. The bill directly affects newborns with sickle cell trait and their families in New Jersey.