Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state agencies and political subdivisions (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and local government entities) to make a good faith effort to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which sources products from approved rehabilitation facilities. The CNA is granted the right of first refusal for these purchases, meaning state entities must consider the CNA before other vendors. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property establish mandatory training protocols for purchasing agents, requiring new hires to complete training and renewing it every two years. The bill also requires regular reporting to track compliance with the 5% procurement goal and training requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 2605 proposes creating the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program to reduce financial barriers for aspiring teachers. It would provide eligible students up to $7,200 per semester (max two semesters) to cover costs during required clinical practice in approved teacher preparation programs. To qualify, students must be New Jersey residents enrolled full-time in an approved program, completing steps to access clinical practice, with potential focus on high-demand subjects like math or special education. The program, administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, requires students to maintain academic standing and terminates scholarships for dismissal or withdrawal due to illness/family emergencies without requiring repayment. The bill also mandates annual data collection on program participants.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to create and maintain a public list of textbook vendors whose materials include "inclusive content" - defined as accurate portrayals of diversity in areas like race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. School districts must select new textbooks only from vendors on this DOE-listed roster when purchasing for the first time. Exceptions allow districts to request commissioner approval for non-listed vendors, and the rule doesn't apply to textbooks from the state's existing textbook bank or for damaged/lost books needing replacement. The policy directly affects all New Jersey public school districts purchasing new textbooks.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual income limit for New Jersey seniors (65+) and permanently disabled residents to qualify for a property tax deduction from $10,000 to $15,000. It directly affects eligible homeowners and tenants who meet the income threshold and own or reside in their primary home. The deduction amount remains capped at $250 annually, regardless of income level, and does not replace other exemptions like veterans' deductions. The change requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before taking effect, though the bill itself becomes operative immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1667) provides tax credits to businesses that hire and retain neurodiverse employees in qualifying STEM/AI roles. Businesses receive credits of $7,000-$9,000 per full-time employee (increasing with consecutive years of employment) or $4,500 for part-time employees, subject to a $10 million annual cap. To qualify, employees must work in approved STEM/AI fields at minimum wage and be certified as neurodiverse under state guidelines. The credits reduce corporate business tax liability, with unused credits potentially carried forward for up to seven years.
Maddy summaryS 2797 would have required New Jersey public school districts to teach cursive handwriting to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with a goal of achieving legible cursive writing proficiency by the end of third grade. The bill mandated incorporating specific activities and materials into the curriculum to develop students' ability to read and write cursive, citing research linking cursive instruction to improved cognitive, motor, and literacy skills - particularly for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia. This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already enacted through P.L.2025, c.284.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates special license plates for New Jersey disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability impairing their ability to walk. Eligible veterans (certified by the VA and verified by a licensed physician) must pay a $15 fee and display the plate to park in disability-reserved spaces without needing separate disability placards. The plates, marked "Disabled Veteran" and featuring a wheelchair symbol, are non-transferable and require valid display while parked. Misuse of the plate can result in revocation of the plate and associated privileges.
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates driver's license suspension for unpaid parking tickets or missed court appearances. Instead, it requires suspension of a vehicle's registration for individuals with more than five unpaid parking fines or penalties. The law includes a 30-day delay before registration suspension takes effect, requiring written notice explaining the reason and how to resolve the issue. It also mandates that courts offer payment alternatives (like installments or community service) based on a person's ability to pay. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with multiple unresolved parking violations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires spousal written consent before certain public employees in New Jersey can choose retirement payout options that provide no benefits to their spouse or less than half the benefit to the spouse for life. It applies to members of the Teachers’ Pension Fund (TPAF), Judicial Retirement System (JRS), and Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Before electing such a benefit, the member must sign a form acknowledging the payout terms, and the spouse must sign consent forms witnessed by a pension representative or notary. The pension office must also notify the spouse via certified mail about the election choice. Exceptions exist if a spouse cannot be located or no spouse exists.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to conduct criminal history checks on all officials (like referees and umpires) for high school athletic events it sanctions. Officials must submit their fingerprints and consent, with the cost borne by the official, to verify they have no disqualifying criminal convictions listed in existing law (C.18A:6-7.1). The NJSIAA must disqualify officials with disqualifying convictions and monitor pending charges, forwarding any new criminal information to the association for further action. The law applies immediately to all current officials, who must comply within 60 days of the bill's effective date.