Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for New Jersey charter schools, their governing boards, and charter management organizations (nonprofits operating multiple charters). It mandates that charter applications include detailed curriculum plans, staff qualifications, parental involvement strategies, and compliance with state academic standards. The bill also sets enrollment limits (max 500 students or 25% of a district's total), requires 51% support from staff and parents for existing public schools converting to charters, and defines charter management organizations under 501(c)(3) nonprofit rules. These provisions apply directly to all new and existing charter schools operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 250) modifies annual reporting requirements for two commissions managing state employee health benefits: the State Health Benefits Commission and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission. It requires both commissions to annually publish a detailed rate-setting analysis report - including financial projections, trend analysis, and plan overviews - and hold public hearings for feedback. The reports must be submitted to the Governor, Legislature, and posted online for public review. These changes directly affect state employees covered by the health benefit programs and ensure greater transparency in how healthcare costs are calculated and approved. The bill updates existing law to strengthen public input and reporting standards for these commissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades the offense of paying for sex (being a "patron") from a less serious disorderly persons offense to a crime, imposing a minimum $10,000 fine for first-time offenders. It directly affects individuals who pay for sexual services, not sex workers. All fines collected from prostitution-related offenses - including those for paying for sex - will now be directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund" established under prior law. The bill also increases penalties for offenses involving minors, requiring a minimum $25,000 fine. This policy change shifts both the legal classification of patronage and the funding mechanism for victim support.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides New Jersey employers with a temporary tax credit of 50% (up to $50,000 per year) against corporation business and gross income taxes for costs spent building, renovating, or improving real property used to operate on-site child care centers. The credit directly affects businesses that construct or maintain facilities primarily serving the children of their own employees. To qualify, employers must commit to operating the child care center for 60 consecutive months and enter a binding agreement with the state director to verify expenses and maintain compliance. The credit is available for three calendar years following the bill's effective date and requires documentation to prevent misuse.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 252) requires municipal water authorities to provide 15 days' written notice before disconnecting water service for non-payment to property owners, the billed customer, and any tenants. Notices to tenants must include an offer for continued service billed directly to them. Authorities must also offer a reasonable payment plan if requested before disconnection. The bill applies to both water and sewer service disconnections, aiming to give residents more time and options to avoid service loss.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative, operated by the New Jersey Community College Consortium. It creates "Centers of Workforce Innovation" focused on high-demand fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and manufacturing. These centers will develop publicly available job training curricula, provide skills for employment, promote financial aid access, and expand apprenticeships. The initiative directly affects students, workers, county colleges, employers, and educational institutions by connecting workforce development with regional economic needs. (Note: The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn the same day as it was already approved as P.L.2025, c.374.)

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program where New Jersey farmers can get reimbursed for costs related to developing business plans that improve their farm's long-term economic health. Specifically, it allows farmers to receive up to $7,500 (covering 75% of eligible costs) for creating or implementing plans focused on financial stability, diversification, expansion, or succession. Farmers must apply with receipts for costs paid within two years, prove they aren't double-reimbursing through other grants, and submit applications in order received. The program, funded by state appropriations, directly affects New Jersey commercial farmers who develop qualifying viability plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires short-term farm labor housing - defined as temporary housing for seasonal agricultural workers for up to three months - to include fire safety measures like fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and proper exit routes. It directly affects farm labor camps providing housing to seasonal workers under New Jersey's existing labor camp definition. The bill mandates that such housing automatically complies with the State Uniform Construction Code if these fire safety provisions are met. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must update construction rules within six months of the bill's enactment to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to use up to 30% of their municipal development fee trust funds - designated for affordable housing programs - to provide down payment assistance grants to first-time veteran homebuyers, with each veteran eligible for up to $15,000 per grant. The grants will not be counted as income for determining eligibility for other state benefits or for tax purposes. This policy change directs existing municipal funds toward supporting veterans in purchasing homes, supplementing other state housing assistance programs without creating new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that hire qualified ex-offenders. It allows a credit equal to 15% of wages paid to each qualifying employee, capped at $900 per employee annually, against both corporation business tax and gross income tax. A "qualified ex-offender" is defined as someone convicted of a first- to fourth-degree crime in New Jersey who was hired within one year of their conviction or release from incarceration. The credit is applied after other credits and cannot reduce tax liability below the statutory minimum.