Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens oversight of facilities providing care to people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey. It creates a "Residential Facility Quality of Care Improvement Fund" in the Department of Human Services (DHS), funded by fines collected from service providers who violate rules. Key provisions include imposing penalties up to $25,000 for serious violations like administrative neglect, failure to conduct required background checks, or not reporting abuse, and requiring providers to submit internal investigation reports within 180 days. The bill directly affects licensed residential providers and authorized service agencies operating under DHS contracts, enhancing DHS's authority to enforce standards through fines and corrective actions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county colleges to collaborate with county social services boards and state agencies to expand access to social services for low-income students. It mandates colleges to provide students with information about programs like SNAP, TANF, and childcare subsidies, and to facilitate direct application assistance through on-campus partnerships. The New Jersey Council of County Colleges must coordinate with the Department of Human Services to train college staff on helping students navigate these supports. Additionally, colleges must partner with workforce boards to identify unemployed residents and connect them to career-focused college programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New Jersey Suicide Hopeline to make follow-up calls to minors aged 16 or older who are identified as being at high risk of suicide without requiring parental consent. It amends state law to make a minor's consent for these follow-up calls valid and binding as if they were an adult, and confidential - meaning operators do not need to report the calls to parents or guardians. Currently, national guidelines for suicide hotlines require parental permission for such follow-ups, but this bill removes that barrier for minors 16+ seeking mental health support. The policy directly affects at-risk youth aged 16 and older who contact the Suicide Hopeline for crisis counseling.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A5358) revises New Jersey's Secure Choice Savings Program to require **all employers with at least one employee** in New Jersey to offer automatic payroll deductions for retirement savings, replacing the current threshold of 25+ employees. It directly affects private-sector employers (excluding state government) by mandating they set up payroll arrangements allowing employees to contribute to the program, with automatic enrollment at 3% of wages unless employees opt out. Key provisions include allowing employees to choose contribution levels (up to IRA limits) and investment options, with employers retaining the ability to offer alternative retirement plans. The bill removes the prior "small employer" category to reflect this expanded requirement.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when contracts for operating official motor vehicle inspection facilities are renewed or new contracts are awarded, employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) must be offered employment first to meet staffing needs. It mandates that job offers to these employees must include compensation and benefits matching the terms of the existing CBA. Additionally, the bill ensures that any collective bargaining agreement in effect at the time remains binding on successors - such as companies acquiring assets or merging - during sales, transfers, or mergers of inspection facility operations.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates group disability insurance for disabled members of New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It provides monthly income benefits equal to 60% of a member's base salary (minimum $50) while they are totally disabled, payable until age 70 if disability began before age 60. Members must have completed one year of continuous service to qualify, and coverage excludes pregnancy, war injuries, self-harm, imprisonment, or time outside the U.S. Canada. The State Treasurer purchases the insurance through a special fund, with premiums paid from employer contributions.
Maddy summaryS 3366 eliminates a $15 fee for special license plates designated for firefighters and members of first aid or rescue squads in New Jersey. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1977, c.369) to remove the additional charge, meaning eligible members will no longer pay extra for these plates beyond standard vehicle registration fees. It directly affects compensated, partially compensated, or volunteer firefighters and first aid/rescue squad members who apply for these plates. The change applies immediately upon enactment, requiring no additional cost for the special plate design.
Maddy summaryS 4223 would provide free health care benefits to disabled members of New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who are receiving disability insurance benefits. The bill ensures these disabled members can access the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) and State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) without any employee contributions, similar to how retirees receive health coverage. There would be no enrollment deadlines or additional eligibility requirements beyond being a recipient of disability insurance under TPAF or PERS. The health benefits would not reduce the disability benefit amount, and for pension purposes, members would be considered as if they were in active service during their disability period.
Maddy summaryS 3607 extends accidental death benefits to survivors of State Police Retirement System (SPRS) retirees who died from health conditions linked to World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations, regardless of when the retiree died. It expands eligibility beyond retirees who previously received only accidental disability retirement to include those with ordinary disability, special, or service retirement benefits. The bill removes the requirement for a written sworn statement in applications and allows survivors to submit claims within two years of the retiree's death or two years after the bill's effective date, whichever is later. It also mandates that the State notify eligible survivors by certified mail within 60 days of the bill's effective date.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4515) changes certification requirements for career and technical education (CTE) teachers in New Jersey. It prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring CTE teacher candidates to complete educator preparation programs longer than 200 hours or one academic year, replacing the current 350-hour two-year program. It also allows candidates to demonstrate basic English and math skills through alternatives like portfolios, industry certifications, or occupational licenses instead of standardized tests. These changes directly affect individuals seeking CTE teaching certification through the Alternate Route program, aiming to reduce barriers to entry.