Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes several railroad safety requirements. It mandates a minimum of two crew members for trains transporting hazardous materials (with exceptions for certain operations like tourist trains or yard movements), prohibits trains longer than 8,500 feet on main and branch lines, and requires privately owned railroads to submit federally required bridge inspection reports. The bill also requires railroads to maintain proper wayside detector systems for defect detection and permits non-profit labor organizations to inspect for safety hazards. Violations face civil penalties of $500-$1,000 per foot exceeding the maximum train length, with potential maximum penalties of $250,000 for gross negligence or repeated violations causing safety hazards.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that employees covered by collective bargaining agreements at official motor vehicle inspection facilities be given first priority for employment during contract renewals. It mandates that employment offers must include compensation and benefits packages that meet the requirements of the existing collective bargaining agreement. The bill also ensures that if a contractor sells, transfers assets, or merges with another company, the current collective bargaining agreement remains binding on the new entity and all affiliated businesses. This applies specifically to workers at New Jersey's motor vehicle inspection facilities covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4816) expands New Jersey's list of healthcare projects exempt from the state's certificate of need (CON) requirement. It specifically adds two new exemptions for maternity and neonatal care facilities: (1) adding intermediate or intensive bassinets, and (2) increasing the level of neonatal care designation, both without needing prior CON approval regardless of existing neonatal care certification. The bill clarifies that reducing bassinets or decreasing neonatal care levels would **not** be exempt and would still require a CON. These changes directly affect hospitals and maternity facilities seeking to expand or upgrade neonatal services.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for New Jersey charter schools, their boards of trustees, and charter management organizations. It mandates that board members possess relevant experience (legal, fiscal, educational, community, or governance) and maintain their principal residence in the charter school's district, requires public posting of budgets and annual reports on school websites, and prohibits charter schools from contracting with for-profit entities for operations. The bill also requires regular compensation studies for school leaders, prohibits non-disclosure agreements with employees, and establishes procedures for charter renewal and revocation based on performance. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in the charter school system.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's charter school rules to improve transparency and access. It requires charter schools to provide enrollment applications in the seven most common non-English languages in their district (based on census data) and prohibits them from setting admission criteria beyond a random lottery for oversubscribed seats. Charter schools must now report annual student exit data (including reasons and placements, without personal details) and appoint a student placement liaison to coordinate transitions. Additionally, charter schools offering athletics must join a voluntary sports association and follow its rules, including residency and grade-level restrictions for non-resident students.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey allocates state funding for auxiliary and remedial services provided to students in nonpublic schools. It requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a new monthly reimbursement process where school districts can apply for funding to cover costs incurred. The commissioner must set maximum per-service aid amounts based on historical data about service needs, eligible students, and costs to ensure funds are fully used by year-end. The bill removes previous requirements for districts to refund unspent funds and for the commissioner to reduce funding when appropriations fall short.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A5052) requires New Jersey health insurers, Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), and state health benefit programs to cover screening, prevention, and treatment services for children's behavioral health issues without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis. It establishes "at-risk diagnosis" as a billing mechanism, allowing providers to use Social Determinants of Health Z-codes (instead of standard mental health codes) for preventive care based on factors like family circumstances. Coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services for children under 18. The law applies to all health plans, Medicaid contracts, and state employee health programs effective 90 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning lights, including public utility vehicles (and vehicles owned/leased by their employees or family members), emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, sanitation vehicles, and disabled vehicles. Drivers must move over if safe, or reduce speed below the limit and be prepared to stop if lane changes aren't possible. Violations carry fines of $100-$500, with two additional penalty points for three offenses within 12 months. The bill also mandates a public awareness campaign to inform drivers about these rules, the risks of non-compliance, and associated penalties.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey to honor Officer Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who died protecting the Capitol on January 6, 2021. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation recognizing the day. The resolution commemorates Sicknick’s service, including his 12-year career with the Capitol Police and his New Jersey roots (born in New Brunswick, served in the NJ Air National Guard). As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect beyond recognition.
Maddy summaryThe Climate Superfund Act would require fossil fuel companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels between 1995 and the bill's effective date to pay compensatory damages for climate change impacts they caused. Companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions during this period would pay based on their proportional share of emissions. The Department of Environmental Protection would collect these payments into a special fund and distribute them as grants for climate adaptation projects like flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would have six months to pay in full or choose nine annual installments, with potential for administrative appeals if they disagree with the assessment.