Sen. Joe Cryan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires undergraduate students at New Jersey colleges and universities to file a formal course plan (degree plan) by specific credit milestones: 60 credits for four-year schools, 30 credits for community colleges or private colleges. Institutions must develop "pathway systems" with graduation benchmarks, including requiring first-year students to take credit-bearing math and English courses within their first 24 credits. It also mandates that students in remedial courses take the corresponding credit-bearing course immediately after completing remediation. These requirements apply to all degree-seeking students, with institutions required to notify students when changing majors or academic plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Chief Justice to assign at least three Superior Court judges annually to each of three geographic regions (Northern, Central, and Southern) to handle election recount and contest cases. The assignment, made by the Tuesday after Columbus Day each year, considers factors like population, past recount volume, and voter turnout, with regions and judge assignments published online. Judges in a region will handle cases from any county within that region (not limited to the county of origin) and must provide an initial hearing within 36 hours of filing. All cases must be resolved before elected candidates assume office or governing bodies reorganize.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mortgage lenders in New Jersey to provide detailed foreclosure notices that explicitly inform borrowers of free housing counseling services through the Foreclosure Mediation Program. It directly affects residential mortgage debtors facing foreclosure, particularly those with properties subject to affordability restrictions. The key provision mandates that notices include specific information about accessing no-cost counseling, regardless of whether the borrower participates in mediation. This expands access by requiring lenders to include contact details for the program and clarify that counseling is available at no cost to the debtor. The bill amends existing foreclosure notice requirements under P.L.1995, c.244 and P.L.2019, c.64.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create and annually update a public list of industry-valued credentials - such as certificates, diplomas, or certifications that employers actively seek. The list would identify credentials most in demand based on state labor market data and direct employer feedback, aiming to help workers choose training that aligns with job opportunities. DOLWD must publish the list online in both display and downloadable formats. The bill directly affects workers seeking career advancement and employers looking for qualified candidates, with no new funding or mandates for businesses. (Note: This bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.372.)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to enforce local rent control laws. It directly affects residential tenants in municipalities with rent restrictions (such as rent stabilization ordinances) and landlords who may face violations. Tenants can petition the RCEU to investigate and challenge rent increases they believe violate local rules, and the unit can order rent reductions, impose fines up to four months' rent, or allow lease termination. The RCEU will also operate a dedicated helpline and online portal for tenant reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. It directly serves immigrants, refugees, and their families - over two million people representing nearly a quarter of the state's population - by providing refugee resettlement services, legal assistance, health screenings, and workforce development programs. The office will act as a central hub for coordinating state services, offering technical assistance to other agencies, and ensuring programs are culturally responsive. The Director, appointed by the Human Services Commissioner, will lead these efforts with staff prioritizing lived experience in immigrant communities. The bill formalizes existing initiatives from Executive Order 74 (2019) to improve access to resources and build trust between immigrant communities and state government.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an Office of Information Privacy within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to manage requests for redacting home addresses from public records. It directly affects judicial officers, law enforcement officers, child protective investigators, prosecutors, and their immediate family members living in the same household. The key mechanism establishes a secure online portal where authorized individuals (like family members or designees) can request or revoke redaction of covered persons' home addresses, bypassing standard public disclosure requirements. The office will handle these requests, evaluate exceptions, and provide clear guidance on the redaction process. This change aims to enhance privacy protections for these public safety workers and their families by streamlining how their home addresses are handled in public records.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's 2021 law (P.L.2021, c.324) that requires child care subsidy payments to licensed centers and family day care providers to be based on the number of enrolled eligible children - not actual attendance - through June 30, 2025. It directly affects child care providers receiving state subsidies by mandating they base staff wages and hours on enrollment numbers, not daily attendance. The law also requires the Division of Family Development to study enrollment-based versus attendance-based payment models and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within three years. This extension ensures stable funding for providers during the study period while maintaining consistent payment structures for eligible child care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to cover high school equivalency exam fees for low-income individuals in New Jersey. It requires the State Board of Education to establish the program within six months, defining "low-income" as household income at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines. The program will pay for one exam per person, with applicants needing to verify income through specified documentation. It directs 5% of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to support this initiative, but does not change existing fee structures or eligibility for other programs.

Maddy summaryS 1499, the "Transparency in Prosecutorial Communication Act," requires New Jersey's Attorney General to publish an updated press release on the agency's website at the conclusion of an investigation if an initial press release was issued when the investigation began. The updated release must include the investigation's outcome, ensuring the public has access to results they would otherwise not obtain through public records. This requirement applies only to investigations for which the Attorney General initially released a press release. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.