Maddy summaryS 1641 reaffirms the continuation of Rutgers University's Institute of Management and Labor Relations on its 75th anniversary and appropriates $750,000 annually from the General Fund to support its operations. The bill requires the Institute to offer affordable educational programs (including classes, webinars, and conferences) focused on labor-management relations, with tuition intended to be free for New Jersey residents when possible. It mandates the Institute to conduct applied research on workplace issues and establish an advisory council with equal representation from labor, management, and the public. The funding is supplemental to existing state allocations and must be used to support the Institute's educational, research, and outreach activities as outlined in the bill.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1491) reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits paid to members of New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems. It directly affects current and future retirees in these systems by ensuring their benefits automatically increase each year to match inflation, without requiring new legislative action each time. The key mechanism is restoring a provision that had been removed, so benefits rise automatically based on the Consumer Price Index rather than relying on annual budget decisions. This change provides predictable income stability for retirees as living costs change. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses offering digital asset services (like virtual currency exchanges) to obtain a license from New Jersey's Bureau of Securities. It applies to any business operating within New Jersey or targeting New Jersey residents, excluding traditional securities (which remain regulated under existing laws). The law defines key terms like "digital asset" (excluding securities) and "licensee," mandating that businesses must be licensed to operate. The Bureau of Securities will administer the licensing process, including overseeing "responsible individuals" managing these businesses.
Maddy summarySCR 12 proposes adding a new constitutional prohibition against slavery and involuntary servitude in New Jersey, including as punishment for a crime. This amendment would directly affect incarcerated individuals by prohibiting the state from forcing them to work as a penalty for criminal convictions, though it would not eliminate voluntary prison labor programs. The bill explicitly states that current prison labor - where inmates receive minimal pay - would no longer be permissible as involuntary servitude under the constitution. The change would require a statewide vote following standard constitutional amendment procedures. This amendment addresses a gap in New Jersey's 1776 and 1844 constitutions, which previously contained no language on slavery or involuntary servitude.
Maddy summaryS 2243 establishes a five-year pilot program to create "community schools" in New Jersey, defined as public schools coordinating educational, health, family, and community services through partnerships. It directly affects one public, charter, or renaissance school per county, which will receive support from a site coordinator hired by a university or nonprofit managing the program. Key mechanisms include training for schools, a technical assistance center for sharing best practices, and a dedicated fund for program costs using state and private funds. The pilot aims to integrate services year-round but does not mandate permanent changes.
Maddy summaryS 1608 removes specific date and location requirements for New Jersey veterans to qualify for civil service and pension benefits. Currently, veterans must prove service during defined conflicts (like WWII or Vietnam) with exact dates and minimum service periods. This bill broadens eligibility by replacing those restrictions with a simpler standard: any veteran honorably discharged from federal active military service. It directly affects all New Jersey veterans who served in any conflict, regardless of when or where they served, making it easier to access benefits. The bill is pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee after introduction on January 9, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "New Jersey College Ready Students Program," providing tuition-free dual enrollment courses at county colleges for eligible public high school students in grades 11 and 12. To qualify, students must meet income criteria similar to the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund and maintain a college-readiness GPA (determined by the state). Eligible students can take up to 3 tuition-free credits per semester (6 per year), must earn at least a C in each course, and may take one free remedial course if needed. The state covers all tuition costs, and the Commissioner of Education must annually report program participation, success rates, and costs to the Governor and Legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1393, would allow registered medical cannabis patients in New Jersey to grow cannabis at home for their personal medical use. It specifically permits registered qualifying patients or their designated caregivers (who must be 18+, registered with the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and not currently serving as a caregiver for more than one patient) to cultivate cannabis in their residence. The law explicitly excludes commercial entities, as home cultivation would not apply to permit holders like dispensaries or clinical registrants. This change would amend existing medical cannabis laws to add a personal cultivation option while maintaining registration requirements and background checks for caregivers.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover emergency contraceptives purchased over the counter without needing a prescription or provider approval. It directly affects Medicaid recipients who currently must pay out-of-pocket for these products when obtained without a prescription. The key provision mandates that Medicaid managed care organizations include this coverage in their plans, removing the requirement for a prescription or "authorization" (defined as any provider approval). This change would improve access to emergency contraception by eliminating unnecessary medical visits for coverage, aligning Medicaid coverage with over-the-counter availability.
Maddy summaryS 1193 (New Jersey) allows eligible voters who missed the 21-day registration deadline to register and vote on election day or during early voting. It permits registration at assigned polling places on election day or at early voting sites by providing ID or address verification (e.g., utility bill, photo ID) and completing a provisional ballot affirmation. This directly affects voters who did not register before the deadline but appear at their polling location or early voting site during the early voting period. The bill amends Section 19:31-6 of New Jersey law to establish this process, ensuring provisional ballots are counted if requirements are met. It does not change the standard 21-day registration deadline for regular voting.