Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3998) standardizes benefits for New Jersey teachers' pension members by removing tiered eligibility. It requires all current non-retired members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to receive the same benefits as those enrolled before July 1, 2007, effectively moving everyone to "Tier 1" benefits. Public employees meeting salary minimums but not hour requirements will be enrolled in TPAF, and current Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) members can transfer service credit to TPAF (without transferring contributions) to qualify for retirement benefits. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to study indoor air quality in public schools statewide. Within one year, the department must conduct a representative study of schools across diverse regions, age levels (from preschool to high school), and building ages to identify common air pollutants like carbon dioxide, VOCs, and fine particles. The study will compile a list of the most frequent indoor air contaminants and develop practical guidance for schools on reducing or mitigating these pollutants. The final list and guidance documents will be published on the Department of Health and Education websites for public access.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation, consisting of 13 state agency representatives (including Transportation, Health, and Public Safety officials). The commission’s primary duty is to develop a statewide action plan by 2040 aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through engineering, education, and enforcement strategies focused on equitable road safety for all users. Key mechanisms include creating a public data portal for crash statistics, requiring annual public hearings and reports to the Governor and Legislature, and advising on policy changes to support safer transportation infrastructure. The commission must adopt its action plan within 12 months of the bill’s effective date and host public feedback sessions before finalizing it. This is a procedural bill creating a study body, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation to develop strategies for eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. The 13-member commission - including agency heads from transportation, public safety, health, and environmental departments - will create a statewide action plan, promote data transparency through a public safety portal, and advise state and local governments on equitable road safety improvements. It requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on progress, including traffic crash data and demographic information. The commission focuses on "safe system approach" strategies like roadway design, speed management, and expanding accessible transportation options for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2245) proposes to modify New Jersey's regulations for student permits in cosmetology and hairstyling programs. It clarifies that "registered students" - those enrolled in licensed cosmetology schools under instructor supervision - may provide services in school clinics, but explicitly excludes students in public school vocational programs (approved by the State Board of Education) from this permit category. The key mechanism defines "registered student" to distinguish between licensed school programs and public school programs, ensuring only the former qualify for student permit services. This change directly affects cosmetology students in licensed educational institutions seeking supervised practice opportunities. The bill is currently pending in the Senate (last updated December 2024).

Maddy summaryThis bill changes penalties for underage gambling (by individuals under 21) from criminal offenses to civil fines. It imposes tiered fines: up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent offenses. All collected fines will fund gambling addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs through the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The bill applies to underage gamblers, casino licensees/employees who allow underage gambling, and individuals in lawful care of minors who permit gambling.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Veterans' Organization Building Grant Program, providing financial assistance to nonprofit veterans' organizations for acquiring, constructing, or improving facilities. Administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the program offers grants covering costs like building construction, repairs, equipment, and site development. It directly affects qualified veterans' organizations seeking to establish or upgrade physical spaces for their operations. The program is funded through state appropriations, with eligibility determined by the NJEDA based on defined criteria in the bill.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1637 creates a $4.5 million Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program. It requires the Agriculture Secretary to reimburse eligible school districts for costs incurred when they expand local food sourcing beyond existing baseline levels - such as adding new local produce to meals or serving it during more meal periods. The program excludes fluid dairy milk and costs for ordinary procurement at current baseline levels, focusing only on new initiatives. This directly affects school districts serving subsidized meals that implement expanded local food policies through submitted plans, with reimbursement limited to documented new expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects a portion of worker contributions from the unemployment compensation trust fund to the unemployment compensation administration fund. Currently, workers contribute 0.3825% of wages to the trust fund, which funds unemployment benefits. The bill would reduce this to 0.3625% for the trust fund while directing 0.0200% of wages to the administration fund instead. This reallocation aims to address chronic underfunding in the administration fund, which handles system operations but lacks sufficient resources. The change would take effect for wages paid on or after January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4148, now P.L.2024, c.103) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) to create and distribute informational materials about type 1 diabetes to parents and guardians of public school students. The materials must explain type 1 diabetes, its warning signs, screening recommendations, treatment planning, and school care protocols, as specified in the law. School districts must make these resources available to families through the DOE website. The law took effect immediately upon approval and directly affects all parents/guardians of students in New Jersey public schools.