Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of New Jersey to cover transportation costs exceeding a district's average per-pupil transportation expense for two specific groups of homeless students. First, it applies when homeless students attend school in their "district of residence" while temporarily living in another district (e.g., due to shelter placement). Second, it applies to students displaced by terrorism or natural disasters who remain in their original school district for up to two years. Currently, school districts cover all transportation costs for these students, but this bill shifts the burden for costs above the district's average to the state. The change takes effect immediately for the next full school year following enactment.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3497 requires all public high school students to complete a one-semester financial literacy course as part of graduation requirements for a State-endorsed diploma. The course must cover practical money skills like budgeting, credit, debt, college financial planning, and taxes, and cannot be satisfied by business or entrepreneurship courses. Teachers must hold specific endorsements in subjects like Business, Social Studies, or Family and Consumer Sciences. This requirement applies to students entering 12th grade in the 2027-2028 school year, building on existing middle school financial literacy mandates. The bill aims to standardize financial education across high schools statewide.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create and issue special license plates for disabled veterans, allowing them to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities without needing additional permits. To qualify, veterans must be New Jersey residents certified by the federal VA as having a service-connected disability, and the plates - displaying "Disabled Veteran" and a wheelchair symbol - will be free of charge. The plates are non-transferable and must be visibly displayed on the vehicle to use reserved parking, replacing the need for separate disability placards. Misuse of the plates can result in revocation and forfeiture of the license plate.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow restaurants and licensed alcoholic beverage retailers (including bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries) to operate in designated outdoor spaces adjacent to their business premises, including on public sidewalks. It creates a "premises expansion permit" process requiring applications to either the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (for licensed businesses) or municipal zoning officers (for restaurants without alcohol licenses), with requirements for security plans and property descriptions. Municipalities may regulate hours of operation but must allow outdoor service outside specific hours (10pm-11am on Sundays-Wednesdays, and 12am-11am on Thurs-Sat), and cannot prohibit outdoor service for businesses already operating under legal or disciplinary restrictions. The bill specifies that State-owned rights-of-way require separate approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, with setback requirements for roads intersecting state highways.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from purchasing opioid antidotes (such as naloxone) from pharmaceutical companies that were involved in settlements related to the opioid epidemic. It requires that only manufacturers and distributors not party to such settlements can be considered for state procurement contracts. Companies that participated in these settlements (including affiliates) are barred from bidding on opioid antidote contracts, though existing agreements made before September 1, 2024, will continue until fulfilled. The policy aims to direct state purchasing toward entities not linked to causing the opioid crisis.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers with 10+ employees to publicly disclose salary ranges and benefits details in all job postings for promotions, new roles, and transfers. It also mandates that employers announce promotion opportunities internally to all current employees in the relevant department before making decisions, unless promotions are based solely on experience or performance. Employers who fail to comply face escalating fines: $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation. Temporary staffing firms are exempt from posting pay details for future openings but must provide this information at the time of interview or hire.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors and subcontractors working on public projects covered by New Jersey's prevailing wage law to hold a mandatory orientation meeting for each new employee on their first day of work. The meeting must explain the employee's wages and job classification under the prevailing wage law, and the employee must sign a form confirming they received the information. Contractors must retain these signed forms for at least five years and provide them to the Department of Labor upon request. The law aims to ensure new employees understand their wage rights from the start of their employment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public employees (state, local government, and school district workers) to have their flexible spending account (FSA) contribution limits adjusted annually based on federal inflation adjustments. It aligns state rules with Section 125(i) of the federal tax code, which currently sets a $3,200 annual limit for 2024 (up from $2,500 in 2013). The change ensures public employees’ FSA contribution caps rise with inflation each year, preventing them from falling behind federal standards. This applies to all state and local government employers offering FSAs for medical/dental expenses not covered by health insurance.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Stay NJ property tax credit program, providing eligible senior citizens (65+ years old) with a property tax credit equal to 50% of their property tax bill, up to a maximum of $6,500 for tax year 2026 (with annual adjustments based on property tax increases). The program targets New Jersey residents with annual income under $500,000 who own or rent their principal residence as a homestead. Eligible claimants will receive the greater of the Stay NJ credit or the combined ANCHOR rebate and homestead property tax reimbursement, with a single application process to replace current multiple programs. The credit will be implemented starting in 2026, with applications accepted February 1 through October 31 each year.
Maddy summaryAJR 46 designates January of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey to recognize the state's significant Hindu community. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring Hindu cultural contributions. It acknowledges New Jersey has the highest percentage of Hindus in the U.S. (about 3% of the population) and home to the world's largest Hindu temple in Robbinsville. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the community's heritage.