Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 290 allows New Jersey courts to adjust, reduce, or waive criminal defendants' fines, fees, and penalties (known as legal financial obligations) based on their ability to pay, the interests of justice, or if the obligation conflicts with rehabilitation goals. It directly affects individuals convicted of crimes who face mandatory financial penalties. Courts must publicly state the specific reasons for any adjustment or waiver on the record. This bill implements a recommendation from the 2023 New Jersey Criminal Sentencing Commission to make these obligations more equitable.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Family Day Care Provider Registration Act (P.L.1987, c.27) to increase the maximum number of children a registered family day care provider can care for from five to ten at one time. It directly affects registered family day care providers operating from their homes, allowing them to serve more children while remaining under the existing registration system. The change modifies the definition of a "family day care home" in the law, specifying that registered providers may care for up to 10 children (excluding legally related children or those in employment agreements with providers). This is a concrete policy adjustment to capacity limits for home-based child care providers, not a new licensing requirement.

Maddy summaryS 410 requires hotels and multiple dwelling units (like apartment buildings) to install carbon monoxide detectors meeting safety standards (such as UL 2034). If a building already has a monitored fire alarm system (which automatically alerts fire departments), it must also install a monitored carbon monoxide system that notifies emergency services when a hazard is detected. The law applies to all units where carbon monoxide risks might exist, excluding only those certified as hazard-free by officials. This amends existing safety requirements to enhance emergency response for carbon monoxide threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's 2021 law (P.L.2021, c.324) that requires child care subsidy payments to licensed centers and family day care providers to be based on the number of enrolled eligible children - not actual attendance - through June 30, 2025. It directly affects child care providers receiving state subsidies by mandating they base staff wages and hours on enrollment numbers, not daily attendance. The law also requires the Division of Family Development to study enrollment-based versus attendance-based payment models and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within three years. This extension ensures stable funding for providers during the study period while maintaining consistent payment structures for eligible child care services.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 524 requires public schools with 5% or more students qualifying for federal free/reduced-price meals to offer a school breakfast program, lowering the current threshold from 20%. This applies to all schools meeting the 5% eligibility rate, including those serving pre-K through 6th grade (requiring implementation by September 1, 2023) and other grades (by September 1, 2024). School districts must submit implementation plans to the Department of Agriculture by specific deadlines, with waivers available for schools lacking resources to comply. The bill aligns breakfast program requirements with existing lunch program rules, aiming to expand access to school breakfasts for more students.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 253) amends New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to broaden the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" by explicitly adding "gender identity and expression" and "mental, physical or sensory disability" to the list of protected characteristics. It directly affects all New Jersey public schools, requiring them to address bullying incidents motivated by these characteristics under the expanded definition. The change ensures schools must now consider these factors when investigating and reporting bullying, aligning with existing requirements to disaggregate data by race, gender, sexual orientation, and other categories. This policy update standardizes how schools identify and respond to bullying across all protected groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Investment Council to issue quarterly reports (in August, October, February, and May) detailing investment returns for state retirement funds by asset class, including performance data and fees paid to external managers. It mandates that external managers disclose all fees - such as performance-based earnings - across all investment types (including hedge funds, private equity, and real estate) and submit this information to the Council. Additionally, the bill requires external managers to certify political contributions made by their firms or affiliated committees during the prior year, expanding existing disclosure rules to cover federal or national political committees. These reports and disclosures will be made public via state websites and submitted to the Governor, Legislature, and State Treasurer.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 264) requires lenders to provide reverse mortgage borrowers with pre-loan counseling and a 7-day cancellation period before finalizing loans. It directly affects borrowers aged 60+ who apply for or receive reverse mortgages (home loans converting home equity into cash) and lenders originating these loans. Key provisions include: (1) lenders must give borrowers a written checklist covering financial impacts of early moves, alternatives to reverse mortgages, and tax/estate effects; (2) borrowers must get in-person counseling from approved agencies and provide certification; (3) lenders face a $1,000 penalty for non-compliance or voided loans if counseling isn’t completed. The bill aims to ensure borrowers understand reverse mortgage risks and options before committing.

Maddy summaryS 2336 requires New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement, working with the Health Commissioner, to create a public awareness campaign about gambling risks and resources for people struggling with gambling addiction. The campaign must cover gambling risks, consequences, addiction rates, and available help, using media like TV, radio, social media, and newspapers within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The state will appropriate $200,000 from the General Fund to fund this campaign and requires a report on its progress to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months. This bill directly affects all New Jersey residents by making this information widely accessible through official state channels.

Maddy summaryS 1348 would have established a Farmland Assessment Review Commission within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to annually review the state's farmland assessment program. The commission would have evaluated program eligibility (affecting over 37,000 farmland properties), benefits distribution, inspection requirements, and potential fee structures for landowners. It aimed to ensure fair, uniform statewide application and address issues like benefit allocation based on farm sales data. This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by enacted legislation (P.L.2025, c.274).