Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an existing exception allowing smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities under New Jersey's smoke-free law. It eliminates the specific exemption that previously permitted smoking in casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games, and in simulcasting facilities with dedicated seating for 50+ patrons. As a result, smoking will now be banned in these venues, aligning them with the general smoking restrictions in public places. The change directly affects all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities operating under the state's regulations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2345 creates a single online application for residents to pre-apply for multiple affordable and senior housing options across the state, including rental, for-sale, temporary, and priority housing. It consolidates 10+ housing subsidy programs - such as Section 8 vouchers, State Rental Assistance, Veterans Housing, and Homeless Prevention - into one streamlined portal, though the initial application only determines preliminary eligibility for waitlists. The system allows users to select specific municipalities, counties, or regions, with the consolidated application later serving as a final eligibility tool for these programs. The bill directs the Housing Agency to implement this system immediately via its website, aiming to simplify access to housing resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1812) changes how New Jersey schools identify students with specific learning disabilities under federal law. It requires schools to use research-based methods like response-to-intervention instead of relying on a large gap between a student’s IQ and achievement scores (which will be banned starting July 2023). Schools must also conduct comprehensive evaluations assessing students’ psychological needs, not just one single test. The law directly affects public school districts and students in New Jersey who may need special education services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Grow Your Own Teacher Loan Redemption Program to help teachers in New Jersey pay off student loans. It targets individuals who graduated from high school in a district with a teacher shortage or lived in such a district for over five years, and who become certified teachers there. Participants earn up to $10,000 annually toward loan repayment (principal and interest) for each year of full-time teaching in a shortage district, with a maximum total of $50,000 over five years. The program is funded at a maximum of $500,000 per state fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to maintain specific staffing ratios for certified school library media specialists based on student enrollment. Schools with fewer than 300 students must have at least a half-time specialist, those with 300-1,499 students must have one full-time specialist, and schools with 1,500+ students must have two full-time specialists. Additionally, schools with 500 or more students must employ at least one full-time library clerk, plus one additional clerk for every 500 students beyond 500. The bill includes limited waivers for schools unable to hire certified staff and specifies minimum daily time specialists must dedicate to library work based on school size. It applies to all public schools in New Jersey starting with the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1486) allows any New Jersey county to establish a specialized "Central Municipal Drug Court" through a county ordinance. It directly affects counties that choose to create such a court and individuals facing drug-related cases in those counties. The court would handle cases referred by county health departments, police, or the Assignment Judge, focusing specifically on drug offenses. Counties must file the ordinance with the Administrative Director of the Courts, and judges would be appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. The bill does not require counties to create these courts but provides a framework for those that choose to do so.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1568 expands the state's child tax credit to cover children ages six to 11 (previously only children under six) and increases credit amounts over two years. It provides cash payments for eligible parents with children under 12, with credit amounts ranging from $100 to $1,000 per child depending on household income (capped at $80,000 annual taxable income). For 2023-2024, parents with a child aged 6-11 earning under $30,000 receive $500 per child, rising to $600 starting in 2025. The credit phases out gradually as income exceeds $30,000 and is fully eliminated above $80,000.

Maddy summaryS 1564 requires New Jersey municipalities' planning boards to include specific recommendations for warehouse locations in their 10-year master plan reexamination reports. These recommendations must align with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan and the State Planning Commission's most recent warehouse siting guidance policy. The bill directly affects all municipalities with planning boards that update their master plans, ensuring warehouse siting decisions follow statewide policies. It does not create new regulations but mandates that planning boards' reports explicitly address warehouse compatibility with state guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities over two years, replacing the current fixed $740 million allocation. It prohibits municipalities from counting anticipated revenue from this fund when creating their annual budgets and requires that any additional aid must be subtracted from their property tax levy amounts. The bill directly affects all New Jersey municipalities receiving these state aid payments, including cities, towns, and counties. If enacted, it would provide incremental funding increases while ensuring local tax burdens are adjusted downward proportionally.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey schools (including public, charter, and private schools) and child care centers to test drinking water at all outlets used for consumption or food preparation for lead every two years. If lead levels exceed 5 parts per billion, schools must immediately stop using affected outlets, notify parents and staff in writing, and post results online. Schools must also install NSF/ANSI-certified filters at all drinking fountains or faucets used by students or staff within one year of the law taking effect. The law aims to reduce lead exposure by mandating regular testing, transparent reporting, and filtration where necessary.