Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 3479 increases tax credit amounts for businesses rehabilitating historic properties and cleaning up brownfield sites in New Jersey. For historic property rehabilitation, it raises the maximum credit to 60% of costs (or $12 million, whichever is less) for properties in disadvantaged areas, and 50% (or $8 million) for other properties. For brownfield cleanup, it increases credits to 80% of remediation costs (or $12 million) in disadvantaged areas, and 60% (or $8 million) for other projects. The bill also creates new eligibility for facade rehabilitation projects and modifies application requirements to better target economic development in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent "Office of the Learning Loss Czar" within New Jersey's Department of Education (though not under its control) to address academic setbacks students experienced, particularly those affecting students of color, low-income students, and students with disabilities. The office will build a public resource bank of proven educational strategies, provide technical assistance to school districts, help secure grants, and partner with universities to research learning loss solutions. School districts can submit their successful programs to the resource bank with evidence of effectiveness. The Learning Loss Czar, appointed by the governor, will lead these efforts to coordinate statewide initiatives targeting academic recovery.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new benefit programs under New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance program. It provides eligible participants with a $14 monthly benefit for menstrual hygiene products (tampons, pads, or cups) for individuals aged 18-50, and a $30 monthly benefit per child under 36 months for diaper products. Benefits are added to participants' existing WFNJ electronic cards on the same schedule as regular benefits, with unspent funds carrying over monthly. The $2.5 million appropriation funds these programs, which directly affect low-income WFNJ recipients and their dependent children.

Maddy summaryThe "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act" (S 2806) prevents consumer reporting agencies from including paid medical debt or medical debt under $500 in credit reports, regardless of when the debt was incurred. It also prohibits medical creditors and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus for services provided after the bill takes effect. The bill requires a 180-day waiting period before collection actions can begin after the first bill is sent, and mandates a 30-day notice to patients before initiating collection efforts. Additionally, it protects patients during pending insurance appeals by banning collection communications and requiring removal of debt information from credit reports if an appeal is active or the debt is paid.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for teacher candidates in New Jersey to pass a basic skills test (such as the Praxis Core) to obtain certain teaching certificates. Specifically, it eliminates the need for candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate to complete a Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing, and math skills. The change directly affects individuals pursuing teaching certification in the state by streamlining the certification process. It repeals the existing law requiring these tests, making certification more accessible for educators meeting other standard qualifications. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to purchase retirement credit for prior service as a "class two special law enforcement officer" with a public employer. It directly affects current or future PFRS members who previously worked in this limited-authority police role (requiring specific training but having restricted powers compared to full officers). The key provision lets them buy up to 10 years of credit for that service, provided the gap between that job and their PFRS appointment was under 120 days, with payment covering both member and employer shares over up to 10 years. The process mirrors existing rules for purchasing credit for federal/military service.

Maddy summaryS 2330 establishes a one-year pilot program providing two new benefits for participants in New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance program, which supports low-income residents. It allocates $2.5 million to the Department of Human Services to distribute a $14 monthly benefit for menstrual hygiene products (e.g., tampons, pads, cups) to participants aged 18-50 who menstruate, and a $30 monthly benefit per child under 36 months for diaper products to parents in the program. Benefits are delivered via existing WFNJ electronic cards on the same schedule as standard benefits, with unspent funds rolling over to the next month for the same purpose. The bill defines eligible products and requires their exclusive use for the specified items.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to enter into longer-term contracts for electric school buses, extending lease and purchase terms to match the service life of the vehicles (instead of the current 10-year limit for fossil fuel buses). It specifically authorizes the New Jersey School Boards Association to serve as a government aggregator to help school districts obtain electric school buses and related charging infrastructure through competitive contracting. The bill amends existing school contracting laws to explicitly include electric school buses in the list of specialized equipment where competitive contracting can be used instead of public bidding. This change aims to support school districts in transitioning to electric fleets by making it easier to secure long-term contracts for these vehicles and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and offer payment incentives for drivers who owe certain motor vehicle surcharges every three years, rather than periodically as current law states. It directly affects drivers with unpaid surcharges from accumulated penalty points or violations (excluding DUI-related surcharges). The incentives may include waiving down payments or interest on outstanding balances to help drivers resolve their surcharge debt. The MVC must implement this requirement within six months of the bill's enactment and update it every three years thereafter. All funds collected through these incentives will go to the Motor Vehicle Surcharges Revenue Fund.

Maddy summaryS 3491 establishes legal protections for patients and healthcare providers accessing or providing reproductive health care (including abortion) and gender-affirming health care services in New Jersey. The bill defines "legally protected health care activity" as services lawful in New Jersey, regardless of where the patient resides, and creates criminal penalties for interfering with access to these services (such as obstructing facilities, intimidating patients, or recording individuals without consent). It also prohibits New Jersey from extraditing people for providing or seeking these services, protects patient privacy regarding these services, and specifies that fertilized eggs, embryos, or fetuses cannot have independent legal rights under New Jersey law. The bill applies to all individuals seeking or providing these services within New Jersey, including those traveling from states with restrictions on reproductive or gender-affirming care.